Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian prison in a one-for-one prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to multiple reports. More:
, played overseas during the WNBA offseason. She was returning to Russia in February to rejoin UMMC Ekaterinburg, her Russian team, in the Euroleague after a FIBA break when she was detained at the airport.Following her arrest, Griner was investigated for the “large-scale transportation of drugs” and went on trial in July. During her trial, Griner pleaded guilty to the drugs charges and told a judge that she unintentionally packed the hashish oil while rushing to prepare to go to Russia.
After she was found guilty of drug smuggling and possession charges, the White House opened negotiations with Russia in an effort to bring Griner home. In October, the White House said it had a “substantial offer” on the table and urged Russia to accept it or “bring a strong counteroffer.” The deal included a swap for Bout in exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, an American arrested in Russia on espionage charges.
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