WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in prisoner-swap

Brittney Griner is finally headed home to the United States of America.

The United States struck a deal with Russia to bring Griner home via a one-for-one prisoner swap involving international arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to Steven Portnoy of CBS News.

“Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a U.S. official,” wrote Portnoy. “The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval byPresident Biden within just the last week, according to sources familiar with the deal. The swap took place on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.

“Five former U.S. officials told CBS News the agreement had been reached as of last Thursday.”

According to a White House official, President Joe Biden has spoken with both Griner and her wife, with Vice President Kamala Harris also in attendance. Griner will undergo a quick medical evaluation following her release, which is a standard procedure for freed U.S. prisoners, per Portnoy.

After the news broke, Biden took to Twitter to share his happiness, as well as photos from the Oval Office.

Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.

She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022

“She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,” Biden said in a tweet.

Originally, the United States had offered a 2-for-2 prisoner swap involving retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan returning to America, who has been in Russian custody for nearly four years due to being convicted on espionage charges that the United States has called false, per CBS. However, Portnoy added that Russia insisted on a 1-for-1 swap,

“@CBSNews that news reports that the US proposed a 2-for-1 swap (Griner & Wheelan / Bout) were incorrect, and that in fact, the US had offered a 2-for-2,” tweeted Portnoy. “The Russians insisted on 1-for-1.”

Griner’s detainment in Russia began at an airport in February, where she later pleaded guilty to charges that began with a discovery of cannabis-derived oil cartridges in her luggage.   

Additionally, the return of Griner marks the second prisoner exchange with Russia of the Biden Administration, per CBS.

“Griner’s return for Bout marks the Biden administration’s second prisoner swap with Russia.” wrote Portnoy. “In April, the U.S. traded Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian smuggler convicted of conspiring to import cocaine, for Trevor Reed. The former U.S. Marine had been imprisoned in Russia for nearly three years.”

After almost a year-long nightmare in Russia, it’s about time Brittney Griner is finally headed back to America.