Washington ∙ The US has released notorious arms dealer Victor Bout to Russia and freed basketball star Brittney Greiner, who was imprisoned in Russia. Those who were in jail in both countries were handed over in Dubai and taken to their respective countries. This was possible due to high-level intervention in the context of the Ukraine conflict, in which the relationship between the two countries deteriorated.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Britney, a member of the US team and superstar of the Phoenix Mercury team of the Women’s National Basketball Association, was arrested by Russian authorities on February 17 at the Moscow airport for drug possession. A Russian court rejected Britney’s claim that it was an accident and sentenced her to 9 years in prison. As fans clamored for their release, the US administration began a high-level effort. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov directly to pave the way for Britney’s release.
In 2008, U.S. authorities captured Viktor Bout, a former Russian soldier who illegally sold millions of dollars worth of weapons in the U.S. and arms dealer known as the “merchant of death” and the world’s most wanted criminal. In 2012, a US court sentenced Bout to 25 years in prison. Russia’s position was that Bout was innocent and that the sentence was unjust. The Hollywood film ‘Lord of War’ based on Bout’s biography was a super hit.
English Summary: WNBA star freed in US – Russia prisoner swap