While WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty in a Russian court for smuggling illegal drugs into the country and sentenced to nine years in prison, it has been thought for some time that she could return to the United States as part of a prisoner swap. It now appears that Russia has confirmed those discussions are underway.
According to the Washington Post, Russia confirmed for the first time on Thursday that negotiations between Washington and Moscow are underway. United States officials proposed a deal to swap Griner and another American prisoner, Paul Whelan, for Russian prisoners currently held in American prisons.
Griner was initially detained in Russia back in February for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in a Moscow airport. The WNBA star admitted she had mistakenly brought the hashish oil into Russia, which she was taking for medical purposes.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.