A Russian arms dealer who was traded in exchange for American basketball player Britney Greiner is running for election in his home country, according to multiple reports.

Victor Bout is trying He will join the local council of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is known for supporting ultranationalist and populist policies. The LDP is considered more conservative than the United Russia Party led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. according to Fox News.

The party currently holds 23 seats in parliament, making it the fourth largest political party in Russia. according to Russian Duma. (Related: A totally unscientific poll reader reveals who Biden really should have traded for Britney Greiner)

The top U.S. hostage negotiator said his conversation with Paul Whelan, whom the U.S. claims he was wrongfully detained in Russia, was “one of the toughest calls” ever. https://t.co/g7WsmJHk2r

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEEveningNews) June 29, 2023

Bout was released from prison in December 2022, having only completed 10 years of his 25-year sentence. The arms dealer, once known as the “Merchant of Death,” was turned over to Russian authorities in exchange for WNBA star Britney Griner.

Greiner was detained by Russian authorities for 10 months after airport security found e-cigarette containers and cannabis oil in his luggage. The basketball star was found guilty of smuggling illegal drugs into Russia and sentenced to nine years in prison.

The Biden administration engaged in lengthy engagements with the Russian government to secure Griner’s freedom, along with former US Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained in the incident. suspicion being a spy. The Russian government agreed to release Griner in exchange for Bout, but refused to hand over Whelan as part of the deal.

After Griner’s release, Paul Whelan expressed disappointment that the Biden administration had not taken further steps to ensure Griner’s freedom.

“I am very disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as we approach the fourth anniversary of my arrest,” Whelan said. told CNN In December 2022.

“I was arrested for a nonsense crime,” Whelan added. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”