WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian prison after bartering arms dealer: ‘She’s on her way home’
Brittney Griner is free.
The WNBA the star languished in a Russian prison after being jailed and later convicted of drug offenses after an incident in Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport back in early March. But for many months, the President Joe BidenHer office worked behind the scenes to try to get her back home. And on Thursday, they finished it.
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Early this morning, the Biden administration announced it had negotiated Griner’s release from prison. She served a nine-year sentence in a penal colony east of Moscow after she was arrested earlier this year. But now her freedom has been exchanged for the freedom of a convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor’s feverwho is in the 11th year of a 25-year prison sentence in the US.
As Perezcious readers may recall, Russian officials claimed Griner had a vape box containing cannabis oil in her luggage at the Moscow airport. During her trial, Griner admits there are boxesbut said she had no illegal intent and no intention of distributing them — she simply forgot that she packed them.
That reason did not resonate with the Russian courts. Finally, it looks like this story is over. Thanks God!!
Based on NBC News, Biden signed the transaction himself. The swap took place in the United Arab Emirates, according to the outlet. Notably, American Marine and corporate security director Paul Whelanwho was also held in a Russian prison in another high-profile case, was not included in the exchange list.
However, the release of Griner marks a pivotal moment. In his opinion from The White House on Thursday, Biden said:
“She is safe, she is on the plane, on her way home. She will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all this time. I am proud that today we have another complete family.”
Biden also specifically mentioned Whelan’s name:
“We will continue to negotiate to bail out Paul. I guarantee it.”
As for Griner, her wife Cherelle was present at the White House to make the announcement. In the comments section on the news of his wife’s release, Cherelle thanked Biden with “sincere gratitude” for the happy ending. She also alluded to Whelan’s plight, adding:
“My family is complete today — but as you all know, there are many families that are not. … Brittney and I will remain committed to the work of bringing every American home, including Paul [Whelan]whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate Brittney’s return home.”
“Today, my family is reunited,” Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle said of the WNBA star’s release from prison in Russia. https://t.co/hyErXRqmOn pic.twitter.com/7WVXW5PDMU
– Good Morning America (@GMA) December 8, 2022
OH.
Also regarding Whelan, his family released a statement every Thursday morning Fox News in which they openly celebrate Griner’s return to America:
NEW from the Whelan family: “There is no greater success than the release of a wrongfully detained person and their return home. Administrator Biden made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home and make a possible deal, rather than wait for something that won’t happen.”
– Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) December 8, 2022
Apparently, both of these families have been through hell. Therefore, to see one grieving group understand and empathize with another is an important experience. We can’t even imagine what all of of these loved ones have gone through.
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And we are SO happy for Cherelle and Brittney who will be reunited soon!! The first day, CBS news note, the basketball star is being taken to a government facility in San Antonio, Texas. There, she will receive medical care and monitoring. Cherelle is also flying down to meet her there. Through the TwitterBiden celebrates the release of 32-year-old professional athlete:
A while ago I was talking to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on the plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT– President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
Many others also reacted immediately on Twitter on Thursday morning. The most typical is the former President Barack Obamawho shared her own gratitude for this happy ending:
Grateful that Brittney Griner was overdue for release today from Russian custody. Kudo to @POTUS and his administration because of the hard diplomatic work involved to make it happen. We look forward to Brittney’s return home. https://t.co/G5yKliRoxd
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 8, 2022
Amazing!
And many government officials, celebrities, and public figures are concerned about this momentous moment for Griner, her loved ones, and the American community at large:
After months in prison, Brittney Griner was released and returned home to her family and loved ones. Thank you to President Biden and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this a reality.
– Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 8, 2022
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today issued the following statement about Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/BHGedou4bY
– NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2022
Welcome home, Brittney Griner???? pic.twitter.com/ELtuqHiwXk
– USA Basketball (@usabasketball) December 8, 2022
The National Assembly and the Country are delighted to hear that, thanks to the dedicated and focused leadership of @POTUS, Brittney Griner is finally free. Our hearts go out today to her dear wife, Cherelle, and the Griner family as their beloved Brittney makes their way safely back to America.
– Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 8, 2022
Today, Brittney Griner’s wrongful detention in Russia has finally come to an end and she is on her way back to reunite with her family. Her release was the product of difficult negotiations and @POTUS‘ is committed to bringing home every US citizen wrongly detained anywhere in the world.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 8, 2022
Incredible. Thank you, President Biden. #WeAreBG ❤️???? https://t.co/KrXNMSuFiO
– Sophia Bush Hughes (@SophiaBush) December 8, 2022
Brittney Griner Free!
After 294 days in Russian captivity, @POTUS negotiate a “one-for-one” prisoner exchange.
Thank you to President Biden and everyone who worked so hard to secure her freedom.
– King Billie Jean (@BillieJeanKing) December 8, 2022
WNBPA statement regarding Brittney Griner’s release.#WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/u2icvVN5Jd
– WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) December 8, 2022
Brittney Griner is coming home.
Just extremely good news.
Thank you to President Biden and everyone in the administration for making this happen, as well as the supporters who pushed for it. https://t.co/xwAIyArOoK
– Hilary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 8, 2022
Oh thank god. This is hard to believe and I know it costs dearly but I’m so glad Brittney Griner is free and able to return home to heal and rebuild her life. It took too long but she was free. https://t.co/y2FHJkDVcC
– gay roxane (@rgay) December 8, 2022
OH. What a wonderful situation. We are so grateful this challenge is over and Griner will be reunited with loved ones!!!
[Image via ESPN/YouTube]
