Viktor Bout’s lawyer, Alexey Tarasov, disclosed the specifics of the exchange of the Russian businessman for U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted in Russia. He confirmed the one-for-one exchange to Izvestia on December 8.
“The exchange indeed took place. Notably, it was a one-for-one exchange. Initially, the United States proposed exchanging two Americans for one Russian, requesting [Paul] Whelan and Griner for Bout. However, the final arrangement was a one-for-one exchange, which is equitable. It was not feasible to exchange two for one,” Tarasov stated.
Earlier that day, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the exchange occurred at Abu Dhabi airport. The Ministry highlighted the lengthy negotiations with the United States, noting Washington’s initial categorical refusal to include Bout in the exchange scheme. Following these negotiations, Bout was successfully returned to Russia.
Bout, an entrepreneur, had served half of his 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison. He was charged with conspiring to kill U.S. citizens and providing material support to terrorists. Detained in Thailand in 2008, he was subsequently extradited to the United States. This year, Bout’s mother appealed to the presidents of both the United States and Russia, requesting her son’s return to Russia.
Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic basketball champion with the U.S. national team, was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport in February. Customs officers found vapes containing cannabis oil in her possession. She faced charges under the Russian Criminal Code for “narcotics smuggling in a significant amount.” On July 7, Griner fully acknowledged her guilt, but at the same time said that she had no intent to commit a crime. She was sentenced to nine years in prison in August.
Source: Izvestia, December 8, 2022
Bout’s Lawyer Revealed Details of the Exchange of the Russian National for WNBA Player Griner
