Brittney Griner Speaks Out for the First Time Following Release From Russian Prison: "Feels So Good to be Home"

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 31: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint Center on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner Released From Russian Prison Following One-for-One Prisoner Swap of International Arms Dealer Viktor Bout

Iesha December 8, 2022 News Leave a comment

WNBA player Brittney Griner is finally coming home after spending months in a Russian prison.

Early Thursday morning Griner was released in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

According to sources, President Joe Biden gave final approval to the one-for-one exchange agreement with Moscow within the last week.

The president spoke with Brittney Griner over the phone. Cherelle Griner, Kamala Harris, and Antony Blinken were also in the Oval Office for the call.

Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.

She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022

Griner is expected to undergo a quick medical examination upon her release from prison.

“She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,” Biden said in a tweet.

Biden cut Bout’s 25-year sentence following the order to free Griner.

In February, Griner was arrested at a Russian airport, and she later entered a guilty plea to charges related to the discovery of cartridges containing cannabis in her luggage.

The Biden administration made at least one concession by agreeing to reduce the swap to one American for one Russian, but the reason for the breakthrough remains unclear.