WNBA star Brittney Griner, detained for months in a Russian prison on drug charges, was released Thursday in a prisoner exchange for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, the NY Post reported Thursday morning.
The swap comes at a time of heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine, and after months of tense negotiations between the Kremlin and President Biden.
Biden signed off on the trade, which took place in the United Arab Emirates, and agreed to release the Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death.” Bout was in the middle of a 25-year sentence in federal prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization.
The deal also leaves behind another American, Paul Whelan, who has been held in a Russian prison for nearly four years.
President Biden tweeted about Griner’s release. He was seen in pictures with Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner.
Biden is expected to give remarks on the deal at 8:45 a.m.
