President Joe Biden’s administration negotiated the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner from Russia in exchange for the “Merchant of Death” convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout:
Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on Feb. 17 after Russian authorities said she had vape cartridges with cannabis oil inside her luggage. On Aug. 4, Griner was given a nine-year sentence after pleading guilty, arguing that she had been prescribed cannabis for her pain and inadvertently packed it. Her sentence was upheld in October, and she was later transferred to a penal colony.Bout is known as the “Merchant of Death” and the possible swap for him was floated back in May. He 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.He was dubbed the “Merchant of Death” because of his notoriety for running a fleet of aging Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict-ridden hotspots in Africa. His dealings inspired the Nicolas Cage film “Lord of War.”
But, once again, the United States government leaves behind Marine Paul Whelan.
The administration tried to offer 2-for-1, and when Russia said no, the officials said 2-for-2.
When Russia insisted on a 1-for-1, the American officials picked Griner.
Whelan is going on his fourth year in Russian captivity. They arrested him at a Moscow hotel in 2018, accusing him of spying.
A court convicted Whelan of espionage in June 2020.
Biden said the White House has “not forgotten about” Whelan.
Whelan’s brother David congratulated Griner on her release. However, he reminded everyone that this is “the second time the Biden administration had left behind Paul in a prison exchange, with the last instance coming in April.
David wrote: “How do you continue to survive, day after day, when you know that your government has failed twice to free you from a foreign prison?”
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