December 8, 2022
A couple weeks after being transported to a penal colony in Russia, Brittney Griner is coming home!
After a stall in negotiations between the US and Russia to facilitate the return of Griner, a deal was struck to release the WNBA star in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. While earlier talks included the release of American Paul Whelan, he remains in Russian custody.
President Joe Biden made the announcement from the White House this morning. The President said that the U.S. Government "never stopped pushing for her release" and that Griner was "in good spirits" and "relieved to finally be heading home." President Biden also confirmed that they are still working on the release of Whelan who has being wrongfully detained in Russia for years.
In February 2022 Griner was arrested after possessing cannabis oil cartridges in her luggage, an illegal substance in Russia. After a two day trial, she pled guilty to the charges and was handed down a 9-year sentence. After months of detention Griner is currently on her way back to the U.S. She left Russia and landed in the United Arab Emirates earlier this morning.
Many of her supporters are happy and relieved at the news and expressed their support on social media.
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