Prisoner Exchange
US basketball star Brittney Griner, who had been detained in Russia, was released. In August, she received a nine-year sentence in a maximum security penal colony on drug trafficking charges.
On December 8, a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States occurred at Abu Dhabi airport. Griner returned home, while Viktor Bout, convicted in the United States for arms trafficking, flew to Moscow.
“The Russian Federation has pursued negotiations with the United States for some time to secure Bout’s release. Washington has consistently rejected discussions that would involve Russians in the exchange program. A Russian citizen was repatriated to his homeland,” a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted by RIA Novosti.
Negotiations on a prisoner swap have continued since Griner’s conviction, though the American side has repeatedly stated that the Russian stance leaves little room for negotiation.
“We presented an important proposal that the Russian Federation is not prepared to discuss in good faith. On November 19, the US State Department reaffirmed ongoing commitment to this proposal and offered possible alternative avenues to engage with the Russian side.” The US noted that Russia’s reluctance to pursue serious talks through other channels runs counter to public statements.
The Economist reported that Viktor Bout was moved to Bangkok by American intelligence in 2008, where he was captured and brought to the United States. There, four years later, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for arms trafficking and supporting terrorism.
Initially, the United States proposed exchanging Bout not only for Griner but also for Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage in Russia. Russian officials rejected this proposal as unequal.
Process linked to hash oil
Griner was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on February 17, after a guide dog reacted to an item from her luggage. A search of her bag revealed e-cigarettes containing cannabis oil, which is legal in the United States but banned in Russia.
She remained in detention until her conviction and then stayed in a Moscow detention center until her transfer to a penal colony in Mordovia on November 4.
At first, her location was unknown, but later reports indicated she was held at IK-2, a female penal colony near Yavas, about 500 kilometers from Moscow. Notably, this facility is near where Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage.
“First of all, on behalf of Brittney, we thank everyone who has shown concern for her. Attorneys Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov have received many messages of support regarding their client’s transfer in recent days.” The attorneys confirmed that Brittney has begun serving her sentence at IK-2 in Mordovia and that they will not comment further in the near future.
Elizabeth Rood, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Russia, said: “From communications with Brittney, she is healthy and faring as well as can be expected under the difficult conditions. We will visit her in the colony as soon as Russia permits.”
Great basketball player
From the moment Griner was detained at Moscow’s airport, her name stayed in global headlines, and teammates as well as prominent figures spoke out in support of the star athlete.
Recently, Jasmine Jordan, daughter of basketball legend Michael Jordan, weighed in on Griner’s fate.
“It’s painful to see Brittney used as a bargaining chip in a larger plot,” Jasmine Jordan told Footwear News. “I admire how she handles each day and remains focused. We should keep talking about her, raise awareness, and support her family. The struggle isn’t over yet—this is just the beginning.”
Griner is regarded as a defining figure in women’s basketball. Her presence helped the United States secure two Olympic gold medals and world championships with the national team.
In the WNBA, Griner played for the Phoenix Mercury, entering the league with the number one pick in 2013 and helping lead the team to a championship in her first season. Her status with the Mercury remains strong, with expectations she will return for the next season. Griner has twice led the league in scoring and earned multiple blocks per season.
Beyond the United States, she played for two Chinese teams and defended the colors of UMMC Yekaterinburg, where she became a two-time Russian champion and a four-time EuroLeague champion, also earning MVP honors in 2019. Her February trip to Russia was to play for UMMC, a club that publicly supported her throughout the process and submitted a favorable court letter on her behalf.