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WNBA Star Brittney Griner has been released from jail in Russia as she’s set to return to the United States in a prisoner swap for arms dealer Victor Bout. The 32-year-old had been held on drug charges in Russia since February after she attempted to enter the country with marijuana vape cartridges.
According to reports, President Biden — who has been in communication with Griner since her release — is expected to speak at around 8:30 a.m. EST about the situation. President Biden’s social media team also took to Twitter to share the news of Griner’s release by posting photos of POTUS and Vice President Kamala Harris with Griner’s wife Cherelle.
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
The United States had to pay quite a heavy price to secure Griner’s release as Bout, who was serving a 25-year federal prison sentence, has garnered the nickname the “merchant of death.”
“The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval by President Biden within just the last week, according to sources familiar with the deal. The swap took place on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.” [via CBS News]
As per the standard protocol for freed United States prisoners, Griner is expected to undergo a brief medical evaluation prior to her return home.
She was first detained in February on smuggling charges and began her trial in July. In August, she was sentenced to nine years in prison and was subsequently transferred to the Russian penal colony IK-2.
The 32-year-old played college basketball at Baylor University before she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury as the #1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft. During her professional basketball career, the 6′ 9″ center has established herself as one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA, as she’s an eight-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, two-time Olympian, and a one-time WNBA champion.
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