After nearly 10 months in Russian custody, Brittney Griner was released in a high-profile Prisoner Swap early Friday and returned to the United States with Russia TV deciding to belittle the US over the move
On Thursday, Russian authorities exchanged Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, resulting in Griner’s release from a jail cell. After being found guilty of conspiring to murder Americans, delivering anti-aircraft missiles, and providing material support to a terrorist organisation in 2011, the “Merchant of Death” was sentenced to 25 years in a U.S. prison.
Russian State TV Mocks The US For Choosing Brittney Griner Over Paul Whelan In Prisoner Swap With Viktor Bout
Wowwww Russian media BRUTALLY mock the U.S. for trading Brittany Griner for Viktor Bout. And really, are they wrong?
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) December 9, 2022
Despite Griner’s Prisoner Swap, former Marine Paul Whelan remains in Russian prison. In 2020, Whelan will begin serving a 16-year term for espionage in a Russian jail.
What Did Russian State TV Say About The United States’s Prisoner Swap?
Russian official television mocked the United States publicly for trading Griner for Whelan, as seen in a video that has since gone viral online. The show’s host called Whelan a “spy” but said that Americans adore him. Next, she gives three arguments contradicting Whelan’s claim that the United States should be granted permission to extradite him.
Meet Brittney Griner & Marine Paul Whelan.
Both Americans.
Both were convicted in Russian courts on dubious charges.
Both serving multi-year sentences in Russian prison.
Brittney hates America
Paul served AmericaGuess which one Biden traded a terrorist to free?
Semper fi Paul pic.twitter.com/tuP1R6AZpf
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 8, 2022
That’s beyond the point of forgiveness right now. An absolute disaster has occurred. The answer is “yes,” because Griner outperforms him in every way. She continued her fraudulent claims. Saying “American voters” had to decide between a “Black lesbian hooked on drugs” and a “hero who suffered while defending his fatherland.” You already know that this was not a popular vote in the United States.
The moderator then claimed that the U.S. selecting a celebrity over a former Marine was evidence of American values and hence a success for Russia. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the Prisoner Swap, saying that further prisoner swaps between the United States and Russia are feasible.
To What Did Britney Grinner Plead Guilty Before The Prisoner Swap?
Russia’s customs agents apprehended Griner in February 2022 because they discovered hashish oil cartridges in her luggage. In the end, she was apprehended for smuggling. During the WNBA offseason, Griner would travel to Russia to play with the Russian Premier League. On July 1, her trial began, and she entered a guilty plea. She received a nine-year sentence on August 4.
Still can’t believe we traded the Merchant of Death straight up for Britney Griner. pic.twitter.com/knzZXonOdW
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 8, 2022
Griner was sent to the Russian penal camp IK-2 in the month of November 2022. She was allegedly “wrongfully detained,” according to statements made by US officials at the time. In a prisoner swap involving Russian arms trader Viktor Bout and American prisoner William Griner, Griner was released by Russia on December 8.
To know more about recent Prisoner Swap, do follow The SportsGrail on a regular and frequent basis.
ALSO READ: Who Is Fujii Kaze, His Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Songs List, India Song, Instagram