Secretary of State Anthoney Blinken made public an offer for the United
States and Russia to exchange Viktor Bout, an arms dealer, for Britney Griner,
a professional basketball player in the WNBA as well as Paul Whelan, a former
Marine detained in Russia under charges of espionage.
In February, Brittney Griner was detained in Russia after Russian authorities
found vape canisters which contained hashish oil, a form of marijuana. It
should be worth noting that the hashish oil was recommended by her doctor.
Since then, Griner has been detained in Russia and is currently facing a
maximum sentence of 10 years if found guilty. Earlier this week she was
sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison.
The other prisoner is Paul Whelan, a former Marine who used to work as a
security executive. While in Russia, Whelan was supposedly caught with a
flash drive that contained sensitive information and was subsequently
sentenced to 16 years in jail.
However, none of these two people compare to the notoriety of Viktor Bout,
an arms dealer also known by the moniker the “Angel of Death.” Bout has
supplied weapons all around the world, including places such as Afghanistan,
Somalia, Yemen, and Angola. Government and rebel soldiers in these places
have fought each other with the same weapons that they bought from Bout.
In 2008, however, Viktor Bout was caught in Bangkok attempting to sell
weapons that were intended to kill Americans. He was arrested and then was
extradited to the United States, where he is currently serving a jail sentence
of 25 years.
The potential of a trade has made some people happy, while angering others.
The families of Britney Grinner and Paul Whelan are overjoyed at the
prospect of their loved ones returning home. However, others are angered at
the prospect of America turning over an arms dealer for Americans in jail due
to their own mistakes
States and Russia to exchange Viktor Bout, an arms dealer, for Britney Griner,
a professional basketball player in the WNBA as well as Paul Whelan, a former
Marine detained in Russia under charges of espionage.
In February, Brittney Griner was detained in Russia after Russian authorities
found vape canisters which contained hashish oil, a form of marijuana. It
should be worth noting that the hashish oil was recommended by her doctor.
Since then, Griner has been detained in Russia and is currently facing a
maximum sentence of 10 years if found guilty. Earlier this week she was
sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison.
The other prisoner is Paul Whelan, a former Marine who used to work as a
security executive. While in Russia, Whelan was supposedly caught with a
flash drive that contained sensitive information and was subsequently
sentenced to 16 years in jail.
However, none of these two people compare to the notoriety of Viktor Bout,
an arms dealer also known by the moniker the “Angel of Death.” Bout has
supplied weapons all around the world, including places such as Afghanistan,
Somalia, Yemen, and Angola. Government and rebel soldiers in these places
have fought each other with the same weapons that they bought from Bout.
In 2008, however, Viktor Bout was caught in Bangkok attempting to sell
weapons that were intended to kill Americans. He was arrested and then was
extradited to the United States, where he is currently serving a jail sentence
of 25 years.
The potential of a trade has made some people happy, while angering others.
The families of Britney Grinner and Paul Whelan are overjoyed at the
prospect of their loved ones returning home. However, others are angered at
the prospect of America turning over an arms dealer for Americans in jail due
to their own mistakes