Brittney Griner Released: Biden Faces Backlash Over Prisoner Swap Of Russian Arms Dealer For The WNBA Star

President Joe Biden announced Thursday, that Brittney Griner, an American lesbian basketball player sentenced for a drug charge in Russia, has been released. In the controversial prisoner-exchange with Moscow, Washington freed convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The backlash on social media was swift, as critics pointed out the horrific nature of Bout's crimes. The notorious criminal nicknamed 'Merchant of Death' sold guns to every bad actor from al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, to both the Taliban and its enemies in Afghanistan.

Bout, who's been hailed as a criminal genius by every international law enforcement agency that went after him, mixed his weapons shipments with more legitimate cargoes, posturing as a humanitarian who just wanted to sell cheap food to starving Africans. Meanwhile, he was selling guns to every bad actor from al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, to both the Taliban and its enemies in Afghanistan.

The 'Merchant of Death' became a billionaire by raiding the armories of the collapsing Soviet Union in the early 90s and using old Soviet cargo planes to transport his black-market weapons to conflict zones around the world.

Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 by CIA agents disguised as Colombian terrorists. He believed he was dealing with his murderous Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) customers. The deal reportedly included 800 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), 30,000 AK-47 firearms, 10 million rounds of ammunition, five tons of C-4 plastic explosives, ‘ultralight’ airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Critics say the Russian criminal, who has only served half his time in federal prison, should not have been released by Biden in the prisoner exchange with Moscow. The arms dealer was sentenced to 25 years in 2011.

Many critics also pointed out that Biden chose to secure the release of Griner over Retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan who has been jailed in Russia for nearly two years under “espionage” charges in 2018. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Whelan’s brother, David said in a statement that while he can “literally only imagine the joy [Griner] will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays,” the inability to also bring Whelan home remains difficult for the family to process. “That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us," he said. "And a catastrophe for Paul. I do not know if he is aware yet, although he will surely learn from Russian media.”

Biden in a Twitter post said: "Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home."

In February, the Women's National Basketball Association(WNBA) star, was arrested in Russia for possession of cannabis vape cartridges at an airport near Moscow. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years in prison.