The Russian prisoner exchange for the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout resulted in the release of basketball player Brittney Griner on Thursday. After being arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport for transporting vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, Griner spent nearly a year in prison. She pleaded guilty and was given a nine-year sentence, despite her claim that she had packed cannabis because she had been prescribed it for pain. In October, Griner’s conviction and sentence were upheld, and she was sent to a prison colony.
In recent weeks, officials in both the United States and Russia have expressed optimism about a possible trade involving Griner. An important Russian official suggested last week that an agreement might be reached before the end of the year. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, were photographed together, and President Joe Biden tweeted their joy at Griner’s release. Just now I had a conversation with Brittney Griner,” the tweet read. This time, she has made it home safely. At this time, she is flying somewhere. On her way back to her apartment.
After news of her release was made public, Biden spoke to the press. The name Bout was not even mentioned. Biden said, “Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also made a public statement. The statement thanked “our colleagues across government who worked tirelessly to secure her release,” referring to the State Department staff. I want to single out Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, who is returning with Brittney to the United States, and his entire team for praise. Our Emirati friends, who helped with the transfer today, are among the many partners for whom we feel profound gratitude.
And while Griner was freed, Paul Whelan and his family are still going through unnecessary hardship as a result of his wrongful detention. Despite our best efforts, the Russian government has not yet agreed to end his unjust imprisonment. I really, really, wish we could have brought Paul home with Brittney on the same plane today. Still, we won’t stop trying to get Paul and any other Americans who are being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad back to their families.
Perhaps we shouldn’t have sent back to Russia a man known as “The Merchant of Death.” That much, I think, is something we can all agree on.
![](https://roaringright.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/fb.png)
For More Great Conservative Content
Follow us on Twitter at @roaringright for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read and share our articles on Social media.
To keep up to date on the latest in conservative news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE