Who is Viktor Bout, the ‘Merchant of Death’, swapped for US basketball star Brittney Griner?
2 years ago

Who is Viktor Bout, the ‘Merchant of Death’, swapped for US basketball star Brittney Griner?

Firstpost  

Depending on whom you ask, the 55-year-old Viktor Bout is a swashbuckling businessman unjustly imprisoned after an overly aggressive US sting operation or a peddler of weapons whose sales fuelled some of the world’s worst conflicts and earned him the ‘Merchant of Death’ moniker It’s been dubbed the ‘most uneven of swaps’. Depending on whom you ask, the 55-year-old Viktor Bout is a swashbuckling businessman unjustly imprisoned after an overly aggressive US sting operation or a peddler of weapons whose sales fuelled some of the world’s worst conflicts leading to his ‘Merchant of Death’ moniker. “It would be a big mistake for the US to give up Viktor Bout, as much as one feels compassion for Griner and [Paul> Whelan.” The US Marine veteran was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison in 2020 on espionage charges that Washington says are false What Bout’s release means for Russia Bout’s case fits well into Moscow’s narrative that Washington is lying in wait to trap and oppress innocent Russians on flimsy grounds. Earlier this year, Russia’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said: “We very much hope that our compatriot Viktor Bout will return to his homeland.” Bout’s release as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine is unnerving.

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History of this topic

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 7 months ago

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Hope bounced around Brittney Griner like a buoy and an anchor. “A LOT of media in here today.” Griner gained international attention in February 2022, when she was arrested after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said, fighting back tears. “Walking around town …

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment
1 year, 7 months ago

Brittney Griner gets emotional discussing Russian detainment

The Hindu  

Brittney Griner got emotional quickly. “I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner said Thursday from the lobby of the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. I just relied on my hard work to get through it.” Griner’s first news conference drew more than 100 people, including Arizona Gov. Griner was arrested in February 2022 …

Official: Russia may discuss swap involving WSJ reporter
1 year, 8 months ago

Official: Russia may discuss swap involving WSJ reporter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner working on memoir about Russian captivity

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.” Griner added that she also …

Brittney Griner Working On Memoir About Russian Captivity
1 year, 8 months ago

Brittney Griner Working On Memoir About Russian Captivity

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING NEW YORK — Saying she is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience of being arrested and incarcerated in Russia, basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024. Brittney Griner appears on stage at the 54th NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2023. via Associated Press “That day …

Russia's 'merchant of death' to Donald Trump: Your life is in danger, come here
1 year, 8 months ago

Russia's 'merchant of death' to Donald Trump: Your life is in danger, come here

Hindustan Times  

Russia's “merchant of death”- international arms dealer Viktor Bout— offered Donald Trump asylum in Russia saying that he believes the former president's life is in danger if he remains in the United States. In an interview on a Russian state-TV channel, Viktor Bout said that he had sent a telegram to Donald Trump warning him of threat to his life …

Russia's 'merchant of death' tells Trump to flee the United States: 'Your life is in peril'
1 year, 8 months ago

Russia's 'merchant of death' tells Trump to flee the United States: 'Your life is in peril'

Raw Story  

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, freed from a US jail last year, on Friday urged US ex-president Donald Trump to seek refuge in Russia as his life was "in peril". Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death", was swapped for US basketball star Britney Griner in a high-profile prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington in December. "I believe your …

Released Russian arms dealer Bout joins ultranationalist party
2 years ago

Released Russian arms dealer Bout joins ultranationalist party

Al Jazeera  

Viktor Bout was freed last week from a 25-year US prison sentence in swap for basketball star Brittney Griner. Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was freed last week from US custody in a prisoner swap for American basketball star Brittney Griner, has joined the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party, according to the party’s leader, a Kremlin loyalist. On Telegram on …

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap
2 years ago

US basketball star Brittney Griner arrives home after Russia prisoner swap

Firstpost  

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA champion and LGBTQ trailblazer, was arrested at a Moscow airport against a backdrop of soaring tensions over Ukraine. Washington: American basketball star Brittney Griner arrived in the United States Friday morning after she was released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner, 32, …

Who is Viktor Bout, known as the ‘Merchant of Death’, Released in Exchange for Brittney Griner
2 years ago

Who is Viktor Bout, known as the ‘Merchant of Death’, Released in Exchange for Brittney Griner

News 18  

The notorious arms dealer Victor Bout arrived in Russia on Thursday, Russian news agencies reported. British Foreign Office minister Peter Hain nicknamed him as the ‘Merchant of Death’ for supplying arms to warring sides in eastern Europe, Angola, Afghanistan, West Asia, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone among others. Merchant of Death Who Sustained Wars Hain further added that the …

‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout now part of a deal himself
2 years ago

‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout now part of a deal himself

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who returned home Thursday in a swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner, is widely known abroad as the “Merchant of Death” who fueled some of the world’s worst conflicts. “From the resonant Bout case, a real ‘hunt’ by Americans for Russian citizens around the world has unfolded,” the government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta wrote …

Griner-Bout prisoner swap: A sign of easing US-Russia tensions?
2 years ago

Griner-Bout prisoner swap: A sign of easing US-Russia tensions?

Al Jazeera  

The high-profile exchange was a rare moment of agreement between two nations locked in conflict over Ukraine. On Thursday, 32-year-old American basketball player Brittney Griner was swapped for 55-year-old Viktor Bout, an infamous Russian arms dealer nicknamed “The Merchant of Death”. Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security affairs, told Al Jazeera via email: “There was considerable political pressure on …

Brittney Griner released in US-Russia prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Brittney Griner released in US-Russia prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

ABC  

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials say. Key points: US President Joe Biden had confirmed WNBA basketballer Brittney Griner is on her way to the US Griner was released by Russia in return for the US release of arms dealer Viktor Bout …

Why the Brittney Griner trade was a win.
2 years ago

Why the Brittney Griner trade was a win.

Slate  

Basketball star Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, is a better, more reasonable trade than it might seem at first glance. Bout, who has served almost half of his federal prison sentence, is the world’s most notorious international arms trafficker, known as the “Merchant of Death.” Griner was arrested in March …

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms smuggler, involved in the prisoner swap?
2 years ago

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms smuggler, involved in the prisoner swap?

The Hindu  

Former Soviet air force pilot Viktor Bout, who was swapped for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday, fuelled some of the world’s bloodiest conflicts by trafficking weapons across several continents. CIA Director William Burns met with Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s SVR intelligence service, to discuss the swap involving Bout in Ankara last month, in what appeared to be …

Paul Whelan's brother slams his exclusion from Brittney Griner prisoner swap
2 years ago

Paul Whelan's brother slams his exclusion from Brittney Griner prisoner swap

Daily Mail  

Former US Marine Paul Whelan's family have spoken out to express their frustration that he remains in Russian prison following a prisoner swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner. Whelan was not part of Thursday's prisoner swap, which saw Griner released from Russian prison in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the 'Merchant of Death.' Former U.S. …

Brittney Griner’s career on and off the basketball court
2 years ago

Brittney Griner’s career on and off the basketball court

The Hindu  

WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed by Russia on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange with the US, which released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in return. WNBA star Griner freed in prisoner swap; US releases Russian arms dealer Bout Here is a timeline of key events in Griner’s career on and off the basketball court: October 18, …

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

Raw Story  

Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said. Even so, the fact that the deal was a one-for-one swap was a surprise given that U.S. officials had for months expressed their their determination to bring home both Griner and Paul Whelan, …

Russia Frees US Basketball Star Brittney Griner in Exchange for Arms Dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Russia Frees US Basketball Star Brittney Griner in Exchange for Arms Dealer Viktor Bout

News 18  

US basketball player Brittney Griner was set free by Russia in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, CBS News reported citing American officials on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT — President Biden December 8, 2022 Viktor Bout is a notorious arms dealer who was languishing in American prison for the last 12 years. CBS News said that Joe Biden …

A look at Brittney Griner’s career on, off basketball court
2 years ago

A look at Brittney Griner’s career on, off basketball court

Associated Press  

A timeline of key events in Brittney Griner’s career on and off the basketball court: Oct. 18, 1990: Brittney Griner was born in Houston. 2011-12: Led Baylor to a 40-0 record and earned Associated Press Player of the Year honors averaging 23.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5 blocks. Aug. 8, 2021: Helped U.S. win seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at …

Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout
2 years ago

Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout

Daily Mail  

American military veteran Paul Whelan remains in detention - Republicans called that 'unconscionable' and said the U.S. was putting 'celebrities' over veterans He was in jail for selling weapons to U.S. adversaries across the world Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acted as mediator - two days ago a U.S. lawsuit holding him responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder was dropped …

Why are so many Americans upset Brittney Griner has been freed?
2 years ago

Why are so many Americans upset Brittney Griner has been freed?

LA Times  

U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been freed by Russia in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout from custody. The freeing of women’s basketball star Brittney Griner from her Russian incarceration Thursday in a prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout should have led to a unified nationwide cheer. “This …

Russia swaps US basketball star Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of death'
2 years ago

Russia swaps US basketball star Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of death'

The Telegraph  

Joe Biden celebrated basketball star Brittney Griner’s release on Thursday, but was criticised for handing a notorious arms dealer to Russia in return and failing to free another imprisoned American. Griner, 32, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and LGBTQ icon, was arrested in Moscow on drug charges just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The WNBA star said she had …

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap
2 years ago

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap

Al Jazeera  

Moscow says Griner was traded for Viktor Bout, a Russian former arms dealer convicted and jailed in the United States. Basketball star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison and is on her way home to the United States after a prisoner swap with convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year jail term in the …

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout
2 years ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout

New York Times  

After being detained for nine months, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russia and will return to the United States to be reunited with her family, President Joe Biden announced. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT — President Biden December 8, 2022 What they’re saying Biden, who appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, said it “took painstaking and intense …

Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner sent to Russian penal colony to serve sentence

The Hindu  

American basketball star Brittney Griner has been sent to a penal colony in Russia to serve her sentence for drug possession, her legal team said Wednesday. Griner’s legal team said she left a detention center on November 4 for a penal colony — a common type of Russian prison where detainees work for minimal pay. “Every minute that Brittney Griner …

Brittney Griner: Why was the basketball star was detained in Russia?
2 years, 4 months ago

Brittney Griner: Why was the basketball star was detained in Russia?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Pentagon official Evelyn Farkas has said she fears …

Lawyers for basketball star Brittney Griner appeal her Russian prison sentence
2 years, 4 months ago

Lawyers for basketball star Brittney Griner appeal her Russian prison sentence

NPR  

Lawyers for basketball star Brittney Griner appeal her Russian prison sentence Enlarge this image toggle caption Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP MOSCOW — Lawyers for American basketball star Brittney Griner on Monday filed an appeal against her nine-year Russian prison sentence for drug possession, Russian news agencies reported Monday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the unusual step of revealing publicly …

Russia confirms it IS in talks swap Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer
2 years, 4 months ago

Russia confirms it IS in talks swap Brittney Griner for 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer

Daily Mail  

Russia has today confirmed for the first time that it is in talks to swap Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, the notorious 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer who has been imprisoned in the US since 2010. A source close to the negotiations said Biden's position had weakened now that Griner has been found guilty and sentenced. A source close to …

Russian court jails US basketball star Brittney Griner for nine years over drug smuggling
2 years, 4 months ago

Russian court jails US basketball star Brittney Griner for nine years over drug smuggling

Firstpost  

A judge sentenced Griner, 31, to nine years in prison in Russia and said she would also have to pay a fine of one million rubles. Khimki, Russia: A Russian court on Thursday sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison over drug smuggling as US President Joe Biden called the ruling “unacceptable”. US President Joe Biden …

Russian Prosecutors Seek 9 and-a-half Year Sentence For WNBA Star Brittney Griner
2 years, 4 months ago

Russian Prosecutors Seek 9 and-a-half Year Sentence For WNBA Star Brittney Griner

News 18  

Russian prosecutors asked a court outside Moscow to sentence American basketball star Brittney Griner to 9 1/2 years in prison as closing arguments in her cannabis possession trial were made Thursday. She faces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted Although a conviction appears almost certain, given that Russian courts rarely acquit defendants and Griner has acknowledged having vape …

Who is Brittney Griner and what is her fate in Russia?
2 years, 4 months ago

Who is Brittney Griner and what is her fate in Russia?

The Hindu  

Who is Brittney Grinner? Griner, known as “BG” to basketball fans, has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the WNBA offseason since 2014. U.S. President Joe Biden called Griner’s wife Cherelle last month to tell her he was working to secure her release from Russia as soon as possible. Megan Rapinoe of the women’s U.S. national soccer team wore …

Russian court jails Griner for nine years; US calls for release
2 years, 4 months ago

Russian court jails Griner for nine years; US calls for release

Al Jazeera  

Joe Biden calls the sentence against the WNBA star, who was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, ‘unacceptable’. A Russian court has found US basketball star Brittney Griner guilty of drug smuggling, and sentenced her to nine years in prison in a ruling US President Joe Biden called “unacceptable”. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and Women’s National Basketball …

WNBA star, two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner back in Russian court on cannabis charge
2 years, 4 months ago

WNBA star, two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner back in Russian court on cannabis charge

The Hindu  

KHIMKI Brittney Griner was back in court on August 2 for her trial for cannabis possession amid U. S. diplomatic efforts to secure her release. If convicted, the WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist could face 10 years in prison. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that Russia has made a “bad faith” response to …

Shadowy arms dealer Viktor Bout may be key to Russia’s release of WNBA star Brittney Griner
2 years, 4 months ago

Shadowy arms dealer Viktor Bout may be key to Russia’s release of WNBA star Brittney Griner

LA Times  

Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer once labeled the “Merchant of Death,” is escorted to a courtroom in Bangkok in 2010. A 2002 profile of Bout in the Los Angeles Times quoted a former U.S. official describing him as the “Donald Trump or Bill Gates” of arms trafficking. “They would fly on circuitous routes, drop off pencils or blood diamonds, …

Who is Viktor Bout, Russian man at centre of US prisoner ‘swap’?
2 years, 4 months ago

Who is Viktor Bout, Russian man at centre of US prisoner ‘swap’?

Al Jazeera  

Reports say US has proposed to Russia to release convicted arms dealer for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. The United States government has reportedly offered to free Viktor Bout, an imprisoned Russian arms dealer, in exchange for the release of basketball star Brittney Griner and former US marine Paul Whelan, who are held by Russian authorities. From Africa to Afghanistan …

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian prisoner the U.S. traded for Brittney Griner?
2 years, 4 months ago

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian prisoner the U.S. traded for Brittney Griner?

NPR  

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian prisoner the U.S. traded for Brittney Griner? It has been updated with the Viktor Bout's release from a U.S. prison in exchange for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, who was held in Russia. On Thursday, the U.S. freed Bout in an exchange for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been held in Russia …

Viktor Bout: The Russian arms dealer touted for US prisoner swap
2 years, 4 months ago

Viktor Bout: The Russian arms dealer touted for US prisoner swap

CNN  

CNN — The future of two American citizens detained in Russia could hinge on the release of a convicted Russian arms dealer, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death” by his accusers, whose life story inspired a Hollywood film. The Kremlin has long called for Bout’s release, slamming his sentencing in 2012 as “baseless and biased.” CNN reported Wednesday that the Biden …

Moscow says US must respect Russian law in Griner case
2 years, 5 months ago

Moscow says US must respect Russian law in Griner case

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — The spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry lashed out Thursday at the United States characterizing basketball star Brittney Griner’s jailing on drug charges as “wrongful detention,” saying it shows disrespect for Russian law. The State Department in May designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs - effectively, …

Brittney Griner's basketball friends testify in her favor as drugs trial continues
2 years, 5 months ago

Brittney Griner's basketball friends testify in her favor as drugs trial continues

Daily Mail  

Brittney Griner's good character has been praised by two colleagues from her Russian basketball team as her Russian weed smuggling trial continues. American basketball star Brittney Griner appears in Russian court after abruptly pleading guilty to drug possession charges last week American basketball star Brittney Griner has returned to Russian court for the third hearing in her trial on drugs …

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges in Russia
2 years, 5 months ago

Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges in Russia

News 18  

US basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug smuggling charges in a Russian court but denied intending to break the law in a case that has further inflamed tensions between Moscow and Washington. – ‘Negligence’ – Moscow hit back, saying that US “hype" over Griner would not help her case. Robert Lewandowski said in late May that “my …

Trial For WNBA Star Brittney Griner Begins In Russian Court
2 years, 5 months ago

Trial For WNBA Star Brittney Griner Begins In Russian Court

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MOSCOW — American basketball star Brittney Griner went on trial Friday, 4 1/2 months after her arrest on charges of possessing cannabis oil while returning to play for a Russian team, in a case that unfolded amid tense relations between Moscow and Washington. Elizabeth Rood, U.S. charge d’affaires in Moscow, was in court and said she spoke …

US basketball star Griner held in Russia to go on trial on July 1
2 years, 5 months ago

US basketball star Griner held in Russia to go on trial on July 1

Al Jazeera  

Brittney Griner appeared at a brief hearing and is charged with drug smuggling, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years. US basketball star Brittney Griner, who is in detention in Russia on drug charges, will go on criminal trial on July 1, a court said on Monday. Griner’s detention came days before Russian President Vladimir Putin defied US …

Investigating the timing and implications of Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia
2 years, 7 months ago

Investigating the timing and implications of Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia

NPR  

Investigating the timing and implications of Brittney Griner's arrest in Russia RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner is still in a Russian prison. Can you start off by telling us about Brittney Griner's career in Russian basketball? MARTIN: So as a result, Brittney Griner's kind of a big deal in sports circles in Russia. Her case could go down …

WNBA star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia on drug charges
2 years, 9 months ago

WNBA star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia on drug charges

Al Jazeera  

Griner arrested in February at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said her luggage contained vape cartridges. US basketball authorities have said that an American star basketball player being held in Moscow on narcotics charges is two-time Olympic champion Brittney Griner. USA Basketball, the sport’s governing body in the US, said on Twitter that it was “aware of and closely …

Brittney Griner’s arrest in Russia: What you need to know
2 years, 9 months ago

Brittney Griner’s arrest in Russia: What you need to know

LA Times  

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was arrested last month in Russia after drugs were allegedly found in her luggage at an airport. WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport last month when vape cartridges were allegedly found in her luggage, according to a report from the Associated Press, leaving the 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury center in Russia while …

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