After spending nearly ten months under arrest in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner landed in Texas around 6:00 a.m. Friday following her release from Russian custody in a prisoner exchange for a convinced arms dealer.
Griner, 32-Year Old, who was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges, was released in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout on Thursday, CBS News reported, citing a U.S. official.
The exchange agreement between Griner and Bout was recently negotiated with Moscow and was given final approval by Biden last Thursday, five former U.S. officials told the outlet. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap, CNN said.
Following Griner’s return, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Roger Carstens tweeted shortly afterward: “So happy to have Brittney back on U.S. soil. “Welcome home BG!”
After the news of Griner’s release was made public, President Biden tweeted: “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,” alongside photographs of himself, Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle.
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