Brittney Griner lands on U.S. soil after 10 months in Russian prison
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.After spending nearly 10 months in a 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.Cherelle Griner expressed gratitude to the Biden administration, noting, “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,” she 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 initially proposed deal for Griner’s release had included Whelan, another American considered to be wrongfully detained. However, Russia rejected them because it is treating Whelan’s espionage conviction differently, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a CNN interview.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.
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