Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Brittney Griner is on her way home in time for Christmas. On Thursday (Dec. 8), the WNBA star was freed from a Russian penal colony in exchange for an infamous arms dealer.
“I spoke with Brittany Griner,” said President Joe Biden in a statement from the White House. “She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held in intolerable circumstances.”
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
Griner’s wife, Cherrelle Griner, was with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House, which also took to social media to announce the news.
According to various reports, Griner was released in exchange for the release of Viktor Bout, an arms dealer nicknamed the “Merchant of Death.”
Griner was in custody for nearly 10-months after being detained and convicted for having vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage while attempting to leave Russia from a Moscow airport. She had recently been sent to a penal colony to serve her 9-year sentence.
Check out reactions to Griner finally coming home in the gallery.
Today, Brittney Griner’s wrongful detention in Russia finally ends and she is on her way home to be reunited with her family. Her release is the product of painstaking negotiations and @POTUS’ commitment to bring home every U.S. citizen wrongfully detained anywhere in the world.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 8, 2022
1.
Cherelle Griner says Brittney Griner and “I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul.” pic.twitter.com/npWModqAwq
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 8, 2022
2.
Glad Brittney Griner will spend the holidays with her wife and family. Still outrageous what Russian govt put her through using her as a political pawn. Also unjust she had to work abroad in the first place to compensate for shitty wages women pro ball players get compared to men https://t.co/t4Az1OrIeW
— Uju Anya (@UjuAnya) December 8, 2022
3.
4.
God is good! Brittney Griner is FREE!
— LaTosha Brown (@MsLaToshaBrown) December 8, 2022
5.
The lesson we need to take from Brittney Griner's imprisonment and release is that the WNBA's low pay puts their players at risk of being used for political gain by rogue states.
— Terrell Jermaine Starr
Poor WNBA pay created a national security issue that didn't need to be.(@terrelljstarr) December 8, 2022
6. Twitter never fails…
Viktor Bout arriving in Russia after getting traded for Brittney Griner : pic.twitter.com/qLLFf0Awpo
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) December 8, 2022
7.
Thankful that Brittney Griner is free and on the way home.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) December 8, 2022
President Biden gets it done.
Again.
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