Brittney Griner returned to the U.S. early Friday after being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange following nearly 10 months in detention in Russia. Griner was released from a Russian penal colony Thursday in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The “Merchant of Death” was serving a 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison after being convicted in 2011 of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles and aiding a terrorist organization.
Griner may have been freed, but it left former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan still in Russian custody. Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in a Russian prison on alleged espionage charges.
A clip from Russian state television is making the rounds on social media and it showed them openly mocking the United States for swapping Griner instead of Whelan. The moderator of the show referred to Whelan as a ‘spy’ who is beloved by Americans.
She then outlines three things against Whelan regarding the U.S. winning his release.
“His first problem is that he is white,” the moderator said. “His second problem is he is a man. His third problem: He is a heterosexual.
“This is not something that can be forgiven today. It’s just a catastrophe. Yes, here Griner beats him in every aspect.”
She then went on to falsely state that “American voters” were given a choice between a ‘Black lesbian hooked on drugs’ or a ‘hero who suffered while serving his fatherland.’
As you know, this was not a decision by American voters.
As you know, this was not a decision by American voters.
The moderator then stated it was a victory for Russia that the U.S. chose a celebrity over a former Marine, as it shows what the United States values.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the prisoner exchange Friday, saying more U.S.-Russian exchanges are possible.