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WNBA Star Freed in Prisoner Swap for Notorious Arms Dealer Viktor Bout
Brittney Griner has touched down on U.S. soil for the first time in 10 months after being released from Russian custody in a high-profile prisoner exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, often referred to as the "Merchant of Death." The plane carrying the WNBA star arrived at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio around 5:30 AM ET on Friday.
Upon her return, Griner, 32, will undergo medical evaluations and any necessary treatment at the military facility before heading back to her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Her release was announced by U.S. officials on Thursday, following negotiations between the Biden administration and Moscow.
Griner had been imprisoned in Russia since February after being detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport for allegedly carrying illegal cannabis oil in her luggage. The exchange took place on the tarmac in the UAE, captured in footage showing the one-for-one swap between Griner and Bout.
Notably, the deal did not include U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia for four years. Whelan expressed his disappointment to CNN, stating, “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.” President Joe Biden reassured the public that "we’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan" and committed to securing his release.
The prisoner swap has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with some questioning the decision to prioritize Griner’s release over Whelan’s. The White House also faced claims from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they played a role in negotiating the deal. However, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that only the U.S. and Russia were involved in the negotiations.
Griner’s troubles began on February 17, when Russian customs officials detained her for carrying two cartridges of hash oil. Charged with large-scale transportation of illegal narcotics, which can carry a sentence of up to 10 years, she pleaded guilty during her trial in July and was sentenced to nine years in prison. After being moved to a penal colony in Mordovia on November 17, her family and supporters had been urging the U.S. government to secure her release throughout her ordeal.
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