Biden admin. releases Russian war criminal who conspired to kill Americans in exchange for WNBA player

The Biden administration has made a controversial prisoner’s exchange, according to many.

Marie Oakes

December 8, 2022

The Biden administration has announced it secured the release of Brittney Griner, a WNBA player, in exchange for Viktor Bout, a Russian war criminal and arms dealer who has conspired to kill Americans.

Joe Biden announced that his administration has secured the release of Brittney Griner in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organization. pic.twitter.com/l2ZuYBuKFZ
— Addison Smith (@AddisonSmithOAN) December 8, 2022

The Biden administration also appears to have prioritized the release of WNBA Brittney Griner over U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia in 2018 and was convicted to 16 years of prison in June 2020.

GRINER SPENT 10 MONTHS IN RUSSIAN PRISON, PAUL WHELAN HAS SPENT MORE THAN 4 YEARS IN A RUSSIAN JAIL ON CHARGES OF ESPIONAGE

BIDEN ADMIN COULD HAVE SECURED HIS RELEASE BUT HAD TO CHOOSE 1
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) December 8, 2022

The U.S. also failed to secure the release of another American citizen arrested in Russia, in similar circumstances, but who is not a WNBA player.

There's currently an American citizen named Marc Fogel imprisoned in Russia for having prescribed medical marijuana in his luggage. He received a harsher sentence than Brittney Griner in a maximum security prison. The State Department doesn't even list him as wrongfully detained.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 8, 2022

Sources also say Putin wanted Viktor Bout to be freed so he could provide support in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

More biden russia usa

Support Quality Journalism.

Independent journalism is important now more than ever. The role of journalists in our society is one of watchdogs. One cannot be a watchdog when they are on the government’s payroll.

Make a donation today and support quality, independent journalism.