Finally, after 10 long months, Brittney Griner is free!
Earlier this morning, CBS News broke the story that the Biden administration agreed to a prisoner swap with Russia to bring home the jailed WNBA All-Star.
The White House confirmed the news.
“Moments ago, I spoke to Brittney Griner,” tweeted President Joe Biden. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”
Griner was jailed in February and sentenced to nine years in Russia on drug charges, an event President Biden called a “show trial”.
Today, she was released after a prisoner exchange for jailed international arms dealer, Viktor Bout.
President Biden signed the commutation to release Bout and cut his 25-year federal prison sentence short.
The swap, as reported by CBS News, was conducted on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.
While Griner is on her way home, some are noting that retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been in Russian custody for almost four years on charges of espionage, is still in a Russian prison. The U.S. has called those charges false.
“We never forgot about Brittney. We haven’t forgotten about Pail Wheelan,” said President Biden in a press conference this morning. “We are not giving up. We will never give up.
“We’ll keep negotiating in good faith. I guarantee that.”
Brittney’s wife, Cherelle Griner, also spoke at this morning’s presser.
“Today, my family is home,” said a smiling Cherelle.
She went on to thank the President and his administration. She, like the President, made it clear that while her wife is coming home, no one is forgetting about Whelan.
“We will remain committed to bring every American home, including Paul,” said Cherelle.
The President noted that Griner will be home in “24 hours” as she will first be checked out in the UAE to make sure she’s in good health before flying home.
