This morning, President Joe Biden announced that WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner had finally been released from Russian custody and was on a plane back to the United States. Griner was first detained at a Moscow airport in February, and sentenced to nine years imprisonment in August over possession of two cannabis cartridges.
“After months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under [in]tolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along,” Biden said.
Griner’s release comes as part of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. In return, the US will release arms dealer Viktor Bout, who received a 25-year federal sentence in 2012 for providing “a staggering number of military-grade weapons to an avowed terrorist organization committed to killing Americans,” per then-U.S. attorney Preet Bharara.
In his remarks, Biden acknowledged that the captive ex-Marine Paul Whelan, who was previously discussed as part of a swap, would not be returned to the States as part of the agreement. Whelan, who was arrested four years ago, told CNN that he was happy to see Griner freed, but “greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release.”
Griner’s teammates, former coaches, and WNBA colleagues are elated at the news about the superstar center. “The emotions for our organization, just like for our fans and so many across the world, are those of joyous celebration, deep gratitude, grief for the time lost, and sincere hope for all families still awaiting the return of a loved one,” read a joint statement released by the Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. The Mercury played the 2022 season without Griner, and continually used their platform to spread awareness of her imprisonment.
A slew of other high-profile athletes, politicians, and celebrities have commemorated the release of Griner, including Vin Diesel, who had posted on his Instagram, “I need Brittney Griner home before Christmas” in late November. (Today’s timeline is rife with high quality Diesel/Fast & Furious jokes.) Former President Barack Obama celebrated Griner’s return and praised his former-VP’s administration “for the difficult diplomatic work involved to make it happen.” Carmelo Anthony, Billie Jean King, and Robert Griffin III have also posted messages in support of Griner. Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons found himself in some hot water when he initially tweeted “We left a marine? Hell nah,” in response to the news that Whelan was not part of the exchange. (He later clarified that he meant no disrespect towards Griner, but that he was particularly invested in Whelan’s case because he has family members in the military.)
Griner returns home to her wife, Cherelle Griner, who spoke at the White House when the news was announced. “Over the last nine months, y’all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life, and so today I’m just standing here, overwhelmed with emotions, but the most important emotion that I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration,” Cherelle Griner said, while personally thanking a number of parties including VP Kamala Harris, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and the WNBA Players Association.