A high profile prisoner exchange took place today between the United States and Russia.
The exchange involved the trade of convicted drug user and former women’s basketball star Brittney Griner, for Russian businessman Viktor Bout.
Russian businessman Bout ended up in Washington’s custody back in 2008, when he was arrested in Thailand after a sting operation run by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. He was subsequently extradited to the US and sentenced to 25 years in 2012 after being convicted on gun-running charges. Bout has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Professional basketball player Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport back in February, when cannabis oil was found in her luggage. In August, she was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony on drug charges. Griner pleaded guilty, but maintained she did not intend to break any laws and had simply packed a vape containing cannabis oil “accidentally.”
The exchange has caused outrage in some circles with some high profile commentators incredulous that Biden chose Griner over former US Marine and ‘patriot’ Paul Whelan, who is currently serving a 16 year jail sentence in Russia on spying charges. Libertarian conservative commentator Matt Walsh told his 1.2 million Twitter followers that Biden had been ‘fleeced.’
Biden gave up a Russian arms dealer in exchange for an anti-American WNBA player, while leaving US Marine Paul Whelan to rot in a Russian prison. This is an abomination. Our country is run by incompetent scumbags.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
We got absolutely fleeced in this trade. America humiliated once again by the Biden Administration. https://t.co/IdkOm0VMgM
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
The pro-American position is to keep her there until a deal is reached that includes Paul Whelan and works for the best interests of our country. Keeping the Marine in a Russian prison and giving up a notorious arms dealer for a basketball player is not in our best interests. https://t.co/mXRIfrCJHY
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
Brittney Griner broke Russian law. She brought drug paraphernalia into Russia. They didn't fabricate the charges against her. She did it. She deserved to stay in prison until a deal that serves American interests — and includes Paul Whelan — could be reached.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 8, 2022
Maybe next time don’t go to a foreign country and break their laws dude 🤷🏼♂️
(Griner is a dude BTW)
Arms Dealing Criminal is criticised for releasing small-time arms dealer in exchange for a basketballer instead of one of its mercenaries