A week before Russia invaded Ukraine, Russian authorities arrested American basketball star Brittney Griner at the Moscow airport. No one had a clue that she would still be imprisoned right now.
She was charged with drug smuggling after Russian officials allegedly found vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis in her luggage. Since her arrest on Feb. 17, Griner has been locked up in a Russian prison.
The Biden administration is now reportedly ready to end her stay in Russia by possibly pulling off a prisoner swap to get Briner home.
According to the above report, the Biden administration has offered to swap her for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout and send him back to Russia.
“Negotiations are in the early stages, according to a non-government source in a position to know.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that he is working “side by side” with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to try to bring Brittney Griner home.
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“We’ve been in touch with the White House, the State Department, hostage negotiators, every level of government and also through the private sector as well,” Silver said. “Our No. 1 priority is her health and safety and making sure that she gets out of Russia.”
Last Friday, a Russian court extended Brittney Griner’s pretrial detention until at least June.
The 31-year-old Griner — a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. — faces drug smuggling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
