Brittney Griner Has Been Released From Prison In Russia After A Prisoner Swap

Griner had recently been transferred to a Russian penal colony to begin her nine year prison sentence.

As a WNBA star, two-time gold medal Olympian, and a Black LGBTQ woman, Griner was the most high-profile American detained overseas. Her arrest took place just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine.

According to CNN and CBS, Griner was released as part of a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Bout has a nickname of being the “Merchant of Death,” one of the 90s biggest arm dealers, and was arrested in Thailand in 2008 as part of a US sting.

The swap took place at Abu Dhabi Airport, according to CNN.