President Biden announced Thursday morning that WNBA star Brittney Griner is coming home.
A member of the Phoenix Mercury and an Olympic Gold Medalist, Griner was detained at a Russian airport in February for having oil cartridges that included cannabis. She was later handed a nine-year prison sentence, which she appealed and was subsequently denied in October.
The United States maintained a stance that Griner was wrongfully detained, and the country’s top officials were under consistent pressure from the WNBA, Griner’s family, and the general public to work on her release.
Now, after 293 days, Griner is free.
The United States made a deal work through a 1-for-1 prisoner swap. In exchange for Griner, arms dealer Victor Bout, who had been serving 25 years in federal custody, was released.
I’ve already seen a wide range of reactions to this news online. But, all things considered, I’m just happy to know that Griner is safe and headed back to her family. Welcome home, Brittney.