Russians and Americans Exchange Criminal Bout and Basketball Player Brittney Griner

A Russian national, Viktor Bout, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the U.S. for illegal arms sales and a number of other serious charges, was exchanged today for American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to 9 years in Russia for illegal drug smuggling.

The exchange took place at the international airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. According to the Russian side, the Americans had long rejected the Russian demand to include Bout in the exchange deal, but eventually came to an agreement after negotiations.

Human rights advocate Ivan Melnikov reported that both prisoners received pardons prior to the exchange and will therefore not be required to continue serving their sentences in their respective countries.