Moscow and Washington are currently exploring a possible exchange, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday. The news comes after Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia about 500 km (300 miles) southeast of Moscow, according to her lawyers. The all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested in February when customs agents said they found vapor containers containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. At her trial, Griner admitted to having the containers in her luggage, but testified that she accidentally packed them in a hurry to fly and had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements saying she was prescribed cannabis to treat chronic pain. He was convicted in August and sentenced to nine years in prison. Speaking about the possibility of a prisoner exchange, Mr Ryabkov said: “I want to hope that the prospect not only remains but strengthens and that the time will come when we reach a concrete agreement.” “The Americans show some external activity, we work professionally through a special channel designed for this. “Victor Boot is among those being discussed and we are certainly counting on a positive result.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:43 “I never meant to hurt anyone” – Griner Who is Viktor Bout? Bout, dubbed the “merchant of death” and the “sanctions wrecker” for his ability to circumvent arms embargoes, was one of the world’s most wanted men before his arrest in 2008 on multiple charges related to arms trade. For nearly two decades, Bout was one of the world’s most notorious arms dealers, selling weapons to rogue states, rebel groups and murderous warlords in Africa, Asia and South America. Ever since he was captured in an elaborate US sting, the Russian state has been eager to bring him back.
