After months of being held in Russia, WNBA player Brittney Griner is officially being released and coming home.
Griner, who was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison in August, is coming home early as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. She has been set free in return for a Russian arms dealer named Viktor Bout, who had served 11 years of a 25-year sentence.
According to a senior administration official, it was President Joe Biden who signed off the trade, which took place in the UAE.
“Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner,” wrote President Biden on Twitter. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.” The tweet also featured photos of Brittney’s wife Cherelle Griner and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Oval Office.
“Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home.”
Nearly a year ago (294 days), Griner was taken into custody at Moscow’ Sheremetyevo International Airport for narcotics possession when vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil were allegedly found in her luggage. She was charged with smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors or analogues, and with illegal acquisition, storage, transportation, manufacture, processing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues. Griner pled guilty to all charges during her July trial but denied acting deliberately.
“My parents taught me two important things,” Griner said during closing arguments. “Take ownership for your responsibilities and work hard for everything that you have. That’s why I plead guilty to my charges. I understand the charges against me. I had no intent to break any Russian laws. I want the courts to understand it was an honest mistake.”
“I never meant to hurt anybody. I never meant to break any Russian laws. I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here.”
In a heartbreaking decision, Griner was found guilty on all charges, which at the time her legal team promised they would appeal. “The court completely ignored all the evidence of the defense, and most importantly, the guilty plea. This contradicts the existing legal practice. Taking into account the amount of the substance (not to mention the defects of the expertise) and the plea, the verdict is absolutely unreasonable. We will certainly file an appeal,” they said in a statement.
President Biden also expressed his dismay at the verdict and reportedly kept in touch with Griner following the WNBA star sending an open letter to the White House in July. “Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” he said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”
Throughout her imprisonment, Griner’s wife Cherelle has constantly advocated for her release. Today, all of that pressure and work has finally paid off.
Today, the Free Brittney movement won.
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