WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from Russian detention on Thursday in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Victor Bout, according to reports.
Biden celebrated Griner’s release at the White House on Thursday, telling reporters: “She is safe, she is on a plane, she is on her way home. She will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along.”
“I’m proud that today we have made one more family whole,” Biden added.
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan was not included in the prisoner swap. Whelan was sentenced to serve 16 years in Russian prison after he was convicted of espionage. People familiar with the negotiations for his release told NBC News that the Russians refused to release Whelan unless they get a Russian spy in return. The U.S. insists there are no Russian spies in American custody.
At the White House on Thursday Biden said his administration will continue negotiations to secure Whelan’s release.
Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, was in the Oval Office with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She also spoke at the press conference.
Griner expressed her “sincere gratitude” to the Biden administration and vowed to continue to fight for Whelan and the other Americans wrongfully detained in Russia.
Brittney Griner was arrested in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after customs agents said they found vape cartridges containing hash oil in her luggage. She was later sentenced 9 years in Russian prison on drug charges.
