How the Brittney Griner prisoner swap with Russia was done - BBC News
The US and Russia have exchanged jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
President Joe Biden said Griner was safe and on a plane home from the United Arab Emirates.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for possessing cannabis oil and last month sent to a penal colony.
The Biden administration proposed a prisoner exchange in July, aware Moscow had long sought Bout's release.
Dubbed the "merchant of death" Bout was held in an American prison for 12 years.
Please subscribe HERE bit.ly/1rbfUog
#US #Russia #BBCNews
Пікірлер: 738
Swapped an arms dealer for a weed smoking basketball player, while leaving a marine behind…this is the worst swap ever!
@pipo4158
Жыл бұрын
He isnt a marine. And yes.
@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13
Жыл бұрын
Well the SJW, FEMINIST'S and SNOWFLAKES will be cheering for her
@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13
Жыл бұрын
Well the SJW, FEMINIST'S and SNOWFLAKES will be cheering for her
@geoms6263
Жыл бұрын
Black Folks Gotta Stick Together
@BIPDSHAWAII
Жыл бұрын
Guess Trump should've done something for Paul then huh? He pardoned Rapper Lil Wayne.
This has been the worst trade deals in the history of trade deals, maybe ever.
@johnkonrad5040
Жыл бұрын
You get an American back with no ISIS style execution video, for a washed-up, has-been arms dealer. In-case you didn't notice moron... That's what we call, a bargain.
@vuvuvu6291
Жыл бұрын
I understood that reference👉
Unjustly held?! What??? She was caught with illegal drugs.
@TesterAnimal1
Жыл бұрын
CBD isn’t a drug.
@thomasfy4
Жыл бұрын
@@TesterAnimal1 it wasn’t cbd oil
@tuanoful
Жыл бұрын
CBD.... 9 years for CBD.... and do you trust russians?
@xensonar9652
Жыл бұрын
Arresting someone for weed is unjust.
@rm1371
Жыл бұрын
@@TesterAnimal1 says you. Do you think you can extend your laws to other countries? Wtf is this?! Clueless Americans in the comments! It's extracted from marijuana which is a drug.
Worst trade ever
The merchant of death vs a WNBA player 🤣🤣🤣
This is completely absurd. if I had been swapped for a man like him, I'm not sure I could have survived.
@user-pp4ev7wu8u
Жыл бұрын
Не отчаивайся, малыш, вы правда самая-самая нация за всю историю
@The0Matador0
Жыл бұрын
She hates America. She happy about it.
Wtf is this woman talking about? NOBODY knows who Griner is as an athlete. Vast majority of the U.S. never even heard her name until it popped up in the news about illegal drug possession in a hostile country. Genius move on her part.
This is like where Jim Belushi swaps his watch with Arnold's watch at the end of Red Heat.
This is like a pokemon card trade I made in primary school.
@user-nv2wt4hi8t
Жыл бұрын
This is like me when I sold my tin of Yu Gi Oh cards for 25 quid when some are worth hundreds/thousands now.
what a world we're living in.... there's no justice, just a game
@bojanm986
Жыл бұрын
Do you have in mind Palestinian people or oppressed people in Africa, refugees and migrants in Europe, Mexican border, Native Americans in reservations(!) or just drug smuggling and drug consumer?
I thought she hated AMERICA now she's begging the US GOVERNMENT to bring her home 😂😂😂
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Why did you think that she hated America?
@johaniojo
Жыл бұрын
I thought Americans had a 1st amendment right? It seems like you don't think so...
@Villaineditings
Жыл бұрын
@@yoloswaggins7121 she did she was one of them woke lefties and complained
@anacc3257
Жыл бұрын
@@yoloswaggins7121 Do two minutes of research before you start ranting all over the comments next time.
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
You are saying that because she refused to stand for the national anthem, but may I inform you that Paul, the marine was a war, criminal and discharge for stealing so I don’t see either one of them as saints. The comment section reminds me of a bunch of three year olds, crying and screaming because they got a toy but they didn’t get the toy they wanted.. sometimes you don’t get what you want but you take what you can get and I don’t think many in the comment section are mature enough to realize that political leaders use prisoners as political pawns. scientist say we only use 10% of our brain, but let’s face it some of us in his comment section are not even using 10%.
The US government really did their own servicemen dirty on this one; seriously, some celebrity pothead over an ex-serviceman for an infamous arms dealer- also why didn't the US push hard to get all three US citizens instead? That poor ex-marine guy still has 16 years to serve in a Russian working camp.
@Ivan_the_Ripper
Жыл бұрын
Bc its 1 for 1 exchange. You got your presious lesbian gamer, we got our arms dealer. Pretty fair isnt it?
@flavio1243
Жыл бұрын
@@Ivan_the_Ripper 🤣
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Why did you mention the fact that she is a "pothead" or a "celebrity"? Do these facts make her life less valuable? And the US did try to get Whelan in the deal, but the Russians were not having it, probably because he actually is a spy
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
@@Ivan_the_Ripper Good job on showing the whole world that Russia is the stereotypical "bad guy" that America always said they were. Kidnap an innocent person and swap her from an international arms dealer. Lovely
@terrilinday1125
Жыл бұрын
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 thank you couldn’t have said it better!!!
Not that I’m against Brittany ‘s release but letting an arms dealer out is a really terrible ideal. How is this an equitable exchange? Obviously Russia detaining her was political because of Ukraine. Everyone crying LGBT of course Russia would swap an athlete for an arms dealer this is just nuts
@tuanoful
Жыл бұрын
Dude, the arms dealer worked in the 90's. What damage will he do now? as for her, doesn't she deserve to be rescued? if that is the only trade accepted, wouldn't you do it?
@lisavauhti7675
Жыл бұрын
Putin needs him to reveal hidden arms stashes
@webapple1
Жыл бұрын
very inhumane way of looking at it though , you care more about the arms dealer who will never be able to set foot in the USA or probably any of its allies so wonder how much of a threat he truely is. I don't think russia care about this person , i think they care about impact - and it worked. very well , russia has outplayed you all.
@Awesomeallover
Жыл бұрын
They act as if the US doesn’t regularly supply arms to terrorist organizations
@webapple1
Жыл бұрын
@@Awesomeallover who defines “terrorist organisation “ just curious , is it you ? Almighty judge ?
It’s always the scumbags they let out. Crazy.
I’m ashamed I can’t believe america would make such a horrible decision. It was a choice that shows who is truly running this country and it’s ignorance I feel bad for this country
@Milla768
Жыл бұрын
Spying is not ok. Have some pot in the purse not big deal.
@user-pp4ev7wu8u
Жыл бұрын
Не отчаивайся, малыш, вы правда самая-самая нация за всю историю
@sheilamartin880
Жыл бұрын
You have no clue what you're talking about. An old irrelevant arms dealer that has given us all the information he could in exchange for a cushy cell that was due to be released in a few years anyway. Long before her 9 year sentence as a political prisoner in an extremely harsh prison would have been up for something that would normally only incurr a fine in Russia.
@tuanoful
Жыл бұрын
@@sheilamartin880 Yeah, this. God damn, the commenters are so dumb
@anthonyhannah4893
Жыл бұрын
@@sheilamartin880 not so irrelevant when a works leader wants you free. No matter how you dice it it’s not equal value, to be free from a 25 year sentence because a ball player got caught in the airport with something she shouldn’t have took on a plane during a conflict especially shows the entitlement we US citizens think we have, and because of that in-responsibility someone responsible for the death of many goes free. Maybe you need to start holding people a bit more responsible for the things they do when caught there is enough entitlement going on in this country as it is. We’re already set back enough.
The interrogation scene from Lord of War immediately sprung to mind.
This isnt a fair trade at all. A drug taking basketball player vs a international arms dealer. Come on
@webapple1
Жыл бұрын
human = human. pretty simple really.
@rafaelespin
Жыл бұрын
Weed, pro player. Foreign country and laws. What did you expect. Genius
@rafaelespin
Жыл бұрын
@@webapple1 well that a stupid human being
@webapple1
Жыл бұрын
@@rafaelespin I mean people have done far worse for far less outcome so …
@rafaelespin
Жыл бұрын
@@webapple1 ok…. Hammmm si you support her stupidly?
El Chapo watching from his prison will surely find this US policy very interesting.
So nba player has the same value as a russain arms dealer seems fair😂😂
What about the teacher:if not the ex marine. Doesn't seem to me to be a fair swap.
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
Some people in the comment section remind me of three year olds, crying and screaming because they got a present but they didn’t get the present that they wanted and I don’t think many of them are mature enough to realize that political leaders use prisoners as political pawns. Scientist say we only use 10% of our brain, but let’s face it. Some of them are not even using that
@Cobra_Kie
Жыл бұрын
@@maedorasmith33this isn’t being ungrateful for a present. This is a slap in the face to people who aren’t celebrities, as they are always left behind.
@bubzbeaz3449
Жыл бұрын
@@maedorasmith33 PUTIN: Joe we will trade you a Double Scoop Choc Chip Ice Cream Cone for an M1- A2 ABRAMS TANK BIDEN: DEAL .. no take backs Im not American nor do i live anywhere near their... but literally the 🌎 is in CRINGE MODE for that trade. You do realise your country traded a basketball player THAT HATED AMERICA for a man that SOLD WEAPONS TO ISIS , TALIBAN & IRAQ that were used TO KILL AMERICANS America Fuck Yeah 🤣🤣
@fumurph
Жыл бұрын
@@maedorasmith33 You remind me of a girl I knew who gave her sister a turd in a box for her birthday then acted surprised when the whole family wasn't delighted about her gift. Except she was trolling. I get the impression you actually believe your nonsense.
@inigo9000
Жыл бұрын
@@maedorasmith33 that’s true for both sides. You can be happy for her as an individual while being able to acknowledge this is a horrible deal, this was a man that was wanten by multiple countries for being involved in horrific crimes against humanity. I’m not American and i think it’s a slap in the face for all the families who suffered from his crimes but i guess you only care about U.S.citizens
Notorious international arms dealer and murderer for a player in a sport no one cares about. GREAT TRADE!
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Do you think being a "player in a sport that nobody cares about" makes one's life less valuable? I mean, you are a sad, unsuccessful loser with no prospects in life but I'd hope that the US would do an exchange to save your life in the event that you are kidnapped by Russia/China
Badly, it was done badly.
A couple of years ago Barcelona gave Atletico Madrid €86m, Luis Suarez, the La Liga title and Antoine Griezmann in exchange for Antoine Griezmann. Not the worst swap deal anymore is it?
@carljcmjk8609
Жыл бұрын
Griezman lol overrated I swear people rate real life players now from that fifa game it’s so silly and rediculous
@miketran4289
Жыл бұрын
Yes it is because no one else in the world cares about Soccer
@Defaultname0000
Жыл бұрын
@@miketran4289 -- You're talking about the most popular sport in the world. Moron.
Ridiculous swap.
Keep up the good work Biden. Any more gunrunners you need to get off your hands!?😂
@anacc3257
Жыл бұрын
He released a convicted drug dealing kingpin to the Taliban back in september. This is not the first time and won't be the last if i had to speculate.
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
Paul the marine was a war criminal and discharge for stealing so I don’t see that he was any better than Brittany, some people in the comment section sound like three year olds crying because they got a present, but they didn’t get the present that they wanted. Sometimes you don’t get what you want but you take but you can get., and I don’t think many are capable of understanding, mature enough to realize that political leaders use prisoners as political pawns. Scientist say we only use 10% of our brain, but let’s face it some of us ain’t even using that
@vanessaroyer990
Жыл бұрын
You are so funny. Lol
The US got the worst of that deal.
How pathetic is the Biden administration.
Never been more embarrassed to be an American and let's be honest we got some shit to be embarrassed about.
@bubzbeaz3449
Жыл бұрын
Im not even American and i have 2nd hand CRINGE from this
@SheepofTheShepherd-nu3lz
Жыл бұрын
We all have sins that are shameful
@liaml5767
Жыл бұрын
Your president is worse than cancer.
@badkarma2754
Жыл бұрын
That's a harsh statement and I wish it wasn't accurate. Everyone thought trump was going to start ww3 my money is on Brandon.
Ugh. An arms dealer?! God the guilt I'd carry.
So we traded a basketball player for a Arms dealer. Why
@rafaelespin
Жыл бұрын
Because blm ✊🏿 😂
Which former inmate do you think was treated better while incarcerated?
Disgrace.
I’m already sick of hearing about Britney.
Russia was unwilling to let the marine go home so it’s either being one home or none at all. At the end of the day some good is better then none at all.
A domestic abuser v a warlord
My husband is Russian, this literally makes us traveling back there, to see his family, at any point, dangerous. Wow, just unbelievable.
This is the worst swap ever.
The BBC, one of the Top News Information Manufacturing sites in the World.
what is Ronaldinho doing in Russia?
This doesn’t seem like a fair swap
2:38 'Penal Connolly'?!
@louisavondart9178
Жыл бұрын
Penal Colony.... Think " Third world slave camp built of wooden huts and barbed wire fences. "....
what how? bbc needs more merchants like viktor to make more news for the future
Now the Indians don’t have to feel so badly for having gotten swindled out of Manhattan.
He's gonna go shopping in Afghanistan for new "merchandise"(left behind by the Americans)
TRADE OFFER: You receive: 1 basket player I receive: A notorious arms dealer who sold means of destruction to your sworn enemies, resulting your multiple soldiers dying a horrible death.
@drrd4127
Жыл бұрын
So you are saying that you think it is a good thing to have that type of person roaming your streets. I am not a American or a Russian so I am not bias in all this, I don't give F about the LBGTQ American person but killing people is not a good thing! If you think killing people is a good thing then you are sick in the head!
@Peta_CHAD69
Жыл бұрын
@@drrd4127 wtf are you talking abt you sound autistic af lol
The President Of The Worlds Superpower Was Told Take It or Leave it 🤭😂😂😂
An arms dealer who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands traded for a mediocre basketball player who entertained hundreds.
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
Paul was a war criminal and was discharged for stealing so I don’t see him as being any better. Some of the people in the comment section remind me of three year olds crying and screaming because they got a present but they didn’t get the present that they wanted. Sometimes you don’t get what you want but you take what you can get.. I don’t think there are many minds in the comment section that are mature enough to realize that political leaders use prisoners as political pawns. Scientist say we only use 10% of our brain, but let’s face it some of us and even using that.
@WhatDemocracy
Жыл бұрын
Hundreds is extremely optimistic
@Spectre10139
Жыл бұрын
Meanwhile the west supplies weapons to terror groups that kill way much more so where Is your outrage on that?
@user-ei5lu5op2g
Жыл бұрын
@@WhatDemocracy propaply within 50.
@JOEFABULOUS.
Жыл бұрын
A disgraced former soldier who was kicked out of the army why didn't trump get him out
What a great trade 😂😂😂
This is a disgrace. She broke the law
@maverickstclare3756
Жыл бұрын
*He
@patkelly6349
Жыл бұрын
@@maverickstclare3756 really I’m from Australia and I thought it played in a girls team. What’s wrong over there the guy they traded for this clown is an arms dealer.
This trade was a load of CRAP!! It is criminal that we gave away a deadly arms dealer!
PUTIN: Joe we will trade you a Double Scoop Choc Chip Ice Cream Cone for an M1- A2 ABRAMS TANK BIDEN: DEAL .. no take backs
Wrongfully detained lol.
Trading a druggy for a arms dealer kown as the merchant of death is a bad deal.
so will she now be serving her time in a US jail or is she being released?
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Is this a serious question? She hasn't been charged with a crime
@graveperil2169
Жыл бұрын
@@yoloswaggins7121 Viktor Bout was he charged? just trying to get my head around what has happened did the USA just release a wanted criminal in exchange for a detained tourist?
Poor a US former Marine! Anyway congrats to Brittney Spire! This is a rewarding swap for Russia.
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
Paul was a war criminal and was discharged for stealing. Some of the people in the comment section remind me of a bunch of three year olds, crying and screaming because they got a present, but they didn’t get the present that they wanted. Sometimes you don’t get what you want but you take what you can get and I don’t think many are mature enough to realize that political leaders use prisoners as political pawns
@cherylcarp8940
Жыл бұрын
LAME
Bidens team is probably like “wait, this was supposed to up our approval numbers??!
This makes lukaku transfer to Chelsea look good 👍
One criminal exchanged for a mass murderer. 🤔🤔🤔
How come "Captain America" and "Ironman" let this happen? Where were all the Marvel heroes?
@rFuzzyBearX
Жыл бұрын
There’s only Elon musk unfortunately
totally ignored how Paul said he was happy for brit lol manufacturing controversy
See how well feed he is in the United States prison
I do respect President Biden but this trade is unbelievable. To bring home a basket ball player who wouldn't leave the locker room until the American National Anthem was over in trade of a murderous arms dealer is unacceptable.
This is so Gross.
Fancy wanting a drug dealer back 😂😂😂
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Who is the drug dealer?
@garfield2439
Жыл бұрын
What a dumb ass comment. 🙄🙄
WTF !! A Pot smoking Irresponsible person for a Arms Dealer that destroyed thousands of lives! Ohhhh and Yeah Leave the US Marine behind hes not Worth it !!!! Bruh what is Going on in this world
@Markusctfldl
Жыл бұрын
Bout never killed anyone. Supplying arms to resist globalists is actually fine.
Meanwhile the tens of thousands of Americans that are in jail for having weed 🤦🤦🤦🤦
Think you’re mad now people? Wait til your treated to some Hans Zimmer fueled trailer for the movie detailing her/his/its struggles for the past several months.
Should have held out for the 2 for 1 deal ,
Arm's dealer or a basketball player who knees down at the National anthem. ..big mistake
China, Iran & North Korea are recruiting American basketball players for big bucks .....👏🏻👏🏻
He said Russia needs to win in an interview
Shouldve left her there. Not a fair swap
I would have waited a lil longer on arranging her release. This just opens the door for Russia on doing this again and putting usa citizens at risk.
what a joke
Pick 4 random countries and spend the week blessing them
in 1945 Germany offered Stalin to exchange a Russian-captured German (Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus) with Yakov Dzhugashvili (Lieutenant) Stalin said: Lieutenant will never be of the same value as Field Marshal, Yakov Dzhugashvili was Stalin's, Older Son.
Terrible trade, I’m sure there were more valuable deals to be made in exchange for a prisoner of that caliber.
@zivkovicable
Жыл бұрын
For instance?
@rmggrm2069
Жыл бұрын
@@zivkovicable Paul Whelan, Mark fogel & more, griner was lucky for receiving media attention, that’s it.
Before I travel, I look up others countries laws. It’s called prevention and being an adult.
The Merchant of Death for a pothead that broke their laws…
Should have left her there for 9 years.
Trading her for the inspiration for Nicolas Cage's God Of War. Yep, good trade indeed lol
how was she unjustly detained ? lol
This swap is crap
She was a political prisoner. All she had was a tiny bit of cannabis oil that was medically prescribed. Whether it was deliberate or an oversight, it's nothing that required imprisonment. Certainly not nine years. The release of the marine wasn't even up for discussion because he's accused of espionage. The fact he's in the military doesn't help prove his innocence. The deal is definitely uncomfortable, but that arms dealer is a marked man. He'll probably get whacked by the us or Russia at some point.
@thecoolestkidinkalkallo9621
Жыл бұрын
😂😂😂, she broke there laws dumb dumb, bout killed untold thousands. You don’t know anything 😅
@Michelle_Schu-blacka
Жыл бұрын
@@thecoolestkidinkalkallo9621 The irony of your reply saying 'you don't know anything'. Perhaps don't be illiterate if you're going to call others 'dumb'?
@frankfisher99
Жыл бұрын
not in a hundred thousand years a political prisoner. The Jan 6th detainees, they are political prisoners.
@Michelle_Schu-blacka
Жыл бұрын
@@frankfisher99 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 No doubt! Trying to stop a democratic process, smashing up the parliament and getting people killed, definitely makes them political prisoners. Anyway, I thought it was antifa or BLM or just a tour or something? You people are funny.
@darshuetube
Жыл бұрын
Glad Brittney went home. But why she went there when tension between Russia and US was very high? She thought she is too good to be captured by Russia? She is to be partly blamed for her detention.
Russians always playing chess
🎵 One of these things is not like the…other 🎶
OMG because she's lesbian AND black ..WORST TRADE EVER .. crying over 8-9months BARELY busted for crying out loud !! Our marine has been there for YEARS !!
I don't want to hear shit about gun control after they let out the Merchant of Death. And why did she embrace Bout during the swap?
I think what he meant to say is " Paul is a good guy and yes its true he was a fella marine, we believe gay black women who plays baskeball should outweigh a fella marine solder who has been in russia's prison for 2 years"
I wonder what it was about her that made it so important to get her back? I suspect we all know.
@mighty690am
Жыл бұрын
Yup....
@Chillerveli
Жыл бұрын
Lgbt ?
@maedorasmith33
Жыл бұрын
Paul was discharged for stealing so I don’t see him being any better. Some people in the comment section remind me of three year olds, crying and screaming because they got a present but they didn’t get the present that they wanted. Sometimes you don’t get what you want but you take what you can get and I don’t think there are many months in the comment section mature enough to realize that political kneaders use prisoners as political pawns
@philholbrook7174
Жыл бұрын
@@maedorasmith33 Another Copy and Paste comment? Who's the child???
@rFuzzyBearX
Жыл бұрын
LGBTQ representative
While the Navy seal stays behind !
@louisavondart9178
Жыл бұрын
former Marine discharged for theft. Don't insult the SEALS....
Dafuq is the US government doing???
There a lot of Americans in prison who deserve to be let out. This preferential treatment for Brittney is pandering for her demographic
Shame about the US Marine left behind
The lives of 103 million people across the world have been torn apart by trauma, conflict, persecution, insecurity or human rights violations. UNHCR is determined to protect them. Today, we ask UNHCR partners to step up with urgent financial support. -- 🇺🇳 *UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency*
@louisavondart9178
Жыл бұрын
Corrupt to the core. Not one penny !
The USA have been slam dunked.
Glad she is free but I believe she should have denied her release and allowed the veteran to come home I don't believe this is fair justice at all
@d-pain4844
Жыл бұрын
Black lives matter.
@winshark99
Жыл бұрын
I don't think she was given a choice!
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
Wtf are you talking about? She cannot just deny her release and besides she was completely in the dark. She didn't know if Whelan was part of the deal or not or how rejecting the deal would even help.
@d-pain4844
Жыл бұрын
@@yoloswaggins7121 yes black lives matter
@yoloswaggins7121
Жыл бұрын
@@d-pain4844 What? What does this have to do with BLM?
Why is America always want these 2-for-1 deals lol
@justexist841
Жыл бұрын
Because one played ball and the other played deals to cultivate wars
Mr Putin always comes out on top.
They can negotiate a prisoner change but they can't negotiate peace, what clowns.