On February 17th, 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow, Russia, for the possession of vape cartridges. These vape cartridges contained oil derived from cannabis, which is illegal in Russia. Because of this charge, Griner faced up to nine years in prison.
The detainment of Griner was controversial, with many pointing out that her detainment was not unjust, as cannabis is illegal in Russia. Others were staunchly against the arrest, as Griner was not committing any violent offenses, and would be punished harshly for it. Griner was facing a nine-year prison sentence before the United States and Russia came to a deal for a prisoner swap.
After months of negotiation, the United States and Russia agreed to make a prisoner swap on December 8th, 2022, which sent Griner back to the United States, and arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia. Although many Americans agree that it is good Brittney Griner was released from unjust incarceration, there is a cost. Viktor Bout is a notorious arms dealer, who has been smuggling weapons throughout Eastern Europe before his incarceration in 2012 by the United States, so what is the cost of the prisoner swap?
The risks of this prisoner swap are too high, as the United States has released a dangerous arms dealer back into the world. Russia and Ukraine are in a deadly war that is seeing Russia bomb innocent Ukrainian civilians and they now have one of the world’s most dangerous arms dealers back on their side. Yes, the United States freed one of their own high profile athletes, but they let out a dangerous war criminal while leaving behind several US Marines currently imprisoned in Russia.
With the release of Griner, there are still plenty of questions to be asked. If the United States is willing to release an arms dealer in exchange for one of its citizens imprisoned overseas, what is it doing to reform its justice system? Countless citizens have been arrested and incarcerated for similar charges as Griner in the United States, many of whom will likely not be released.
What made the United States do this prisoner swap? The deal of trading an arms dealer for a professional basketball player does not make sense, and it is possible that there were under-the-table dealings that have not been revealed yet. Whatever may come of the release of Bout is unknown, but whatever it is, it cannot be good for anyone.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Dylan Hicks dhicks@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu
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