27. "I see what you’re saying " In response to In response to 26 Thu Dec-08-22 02:56 PM by Vex_id
And this is rightfully being celebrated - but what I’m referencing is the gross inequity in the two offenses. Viktor Bout was arguably the most prolific arms trafficker in modern history. Griner carried a tiny amount of cannabis oil with her through an airport.
These two offenses are about as different as it gets. Usually prisoner swaps have some semblance of parity, but Griner’s celebrity drove the narrative here. What would be interesting to know is whether a Bout for Whelan swap was ever on the table prior to Griner’s arrest.
Also - I’m not sure it’s material that Bout had retired from trafficking when he was convicted. You can murder people for years and then retire from it one day, never doing it again. That doesn’t somehow excuse the prior murders simply because the murderer had a change of heart (though it may factor into a mitigated sentencing).