Brittney Griner Freed in Prisoner Swap
Details of the Exchange
American basketball star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian captivity in a prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, nearly 10 months after her arrest in Russia on drug charges.
Negotiations and Prisoner Selection
Officials revealed that Moscow had been advocating for the release of a Russian assassin imprisoned in the United States. However, negotiations took a turn when it became apparent that Russia desired a prisoner exchange involving Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S.
Timeline of Events
Four months after Griner's arrest, the United States negotiated a prisoner swap, exchanging Griner for Bout. On December 8, 2022, Russia and the United States carried out the 1-for-1 prisoner exchange.
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