10 Most Controversial Prisoner Exchanges

To call these prison exchanges controversial would be a gross understatement. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re breaking down the prisoner exchanges that, for better or worse, made global headlines. Our countdown of the most controversial prisoner exchanges includes The U.S.-Tehran Swap (2023), Rudolf Abel for Francis Gary Powers (1962), Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout (2022), and more! Which prisoner exchange shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments!

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[WatchMojo]

Which prisoner exchange shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments!

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[SirPlayaLot]

I still can’t believe they exchanged a notorious arm dealers responsible of countless deaths for a basketball player that like it or not broke the law of a foreign country

[charles___]

Brittney Grinner prisoner swap is beyond stupid

[SirAsdf]

Trading an arms dealer for a fucking Basketball player is wild.

[szlava]

The Britney griner-Viktor Bout trade was the greatest trade in the history of the WNBA

[hayeonkim]

Thanks for interesting and informative video as always

[jacobbigaj]

At the very least, we're getting a sequel to Lord of War

[fullmetalgamer]

Britney Griner should've stayed in Russia.

[cesarvictorino]

Top 10 Most Secure Prisons In Fiction.

[tylergoodman]

Brittney Grinner was an unfortunate pawn. 🎉

[EdwardZiwczyn]

Should have left Griner over there. She had no respect for the USA before going over and still doesn't .

[Jeremiah_Rivers]

Viktor Bout may no longer be a threat, but do we still need Brittney Griner’s anti-American stances?

[RiVer-Parish]

I'll trade you a snicker bar for some gummy bears?

[cannabine]

Thank God I'm no longer living in Russia. I was adopted at 5 yrs old. I'm now living in the USA since 1995. I'm married to my wonderful hubby Jason & we have a beautiful 3 yr old son. His name is Jason Alan Nixon.

[ers_red_and_gold]

Brittney Gringer, her voice is scary 😳

[batosi]

You can't trade a big for a shooter in today's game. Russia won that deal we should have gotten some draft compensation

[jonah.donohue]

Traded a dude for the "Merchant of Death".

[SilverSpectre]

For journalists, I can understand why they go, I dont get it, but I understand it. But for some of these other people, idc what the reason is, I cant fathom why they would go to some of these countries fully knowing their nations and leaders dont like your country, to put it lightly. Not for any reason has it ever crossed my mind to go to Russia, China, Cuba, or some of these other places knowing full well the history between the two countries isnt that great and the hostility is still fresh. And Im not even important so idk why theyd even try locking me up, but I wouldnt risk the chance.

[CandiceVidito]

What is even the point of a prisoner exchange anyways?

[c.r.broken_human]

Wow Trevor Reed’s girlfriend and friends are a bunch of a-holes. I hope he doesn’t talk to them any more.