WNBA star Brittney Griner safely returned to the United States early Friday morning.
Griner’s plane landed at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas around 5:30 a.m. and she was then taken to Brooke Army Medical Center for evaluation.
NEW PICTURES SHOW BRITTNEY GRINER’S LIFE IN RUSSIAN PENAL COLONY
After spending nearly 10 months in Russian prison, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
During a press conference at the White House Thursday, President Joe Biden, who was joined by Griner’s wife, Cherelle, announced the basketball star’s release.
“She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,” Biden said.
Cherelle expressed gratitude to the Biden administration, noting that “this work has not been easy.”
“Today my family is whole, but, as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole,” Cherelle said. “BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul [Whelan], whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home.”
The Biden administration explained Thursday that each initial proposed deal for Griner’s release had included Whelan, another American considered to be wrongfully detained. However, Russia rejected them as it is treating Whelan’s espionage conviction differently, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a CNN interview.
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Griner pleaded guilty to a drug charge after being arrested on Feb. 17 for transporting cannabis oil in her bag, which is illegal in Russia. Prior to her release, Griner had been held at the Women’s Penal Colony No. 2 in Mordovia, Russia.
