WNBA star Brittney Griner deplanes at Kelly Discipline in San Antonio, Texas, following her launch in a prisoner swap with Russia, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. Eric Homosexual, Related Press
Cherelle Griner, spouse of WNBA star Brittney Griner, speaks after President Joe Biden introduced Brittney Griner’s launch in a prisoner swap with Russia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home in Washington. Additionally attending are Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris. Patrick Semansky, Related Press
Brittney Griner is again on United States soil, 10 months after being detained in Russia.
The WNBA star landed in San Antonio early Friday morning, round 24 hours after information broke that her freedom had been secured in a prisoner trade.
“So glad to have Brittney again on U.S. soil. Welcome residence BG!” tweeted Roger Carstens, the U.S. particular envoy for hostage affairs, after Griner’s airplane landed.
How was Brittney Griner freed?
Griner’s journey residence was made doable by the Biden administration’s settlement to ship arms seller Viktor Bout again to Russia.
“In releasing Bout, the U.S. freed a former Soviet Military lieutenant colonel whom the Justice Division as soon as described as one of many world’s most prolific arms sellers,” The Related Press reported. “Bout was serving a 25-year sentence on fees that he conspired to promote tens of thousands and thousands of dollars in weapons that U.S officers mentioned have been for use in opposition to Individuals.”
Bout had additionally made it residence by Friday morning, the article mentioned.
What is going to occur to Paul Whelan?
American Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia 4 years in the past and charged with spying, was not a part of the prisoner trade.
Whelan’s members of the family mentioned they have been warned forward of time about Griner’s launch and have been capable of “mentally put together,” in line with NBC Information.
“It's so necessary to me that it's clear that we don't begrudge Ms. Griner her freedom,” mentioned Whelan’s brother, David, in a press release. “As I've typically remarked, Brittney’s and Paul’s circumstances have been by no means actually intertwined. It has at all times been a powerful risk that one could be freed with out the opposite.”
A senior U.S. official informed NBC Information that the Russian authorities has not but been keen to make a deal for Whelan.
“The official mentioned that Russia has handled Whelan in another way as a result of he's accused of spying and that the Kremlin in the end gave the White Home the selection of Griner or nobody after totally different choices have been proposed,” NBC Information reported.
However American leaders stay hopeful that progress will probably be made sooner or later.
“Requested if extra such swaps might occur, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned Friday that ‘every part is feasible,’ noting that ‘compromises have been discovered’ to clear the best way for Thursday’s trade,” The Related Press reported.
Cherelle Griner, spouse of WNBA star Brittney Griner, speaks after President Joe Biden introduced Brittney Griner’s launch in a prisoner swap with Russia, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home in Washington. Additionally attending are Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Patrick Semansky, Related Press
Griner assertion on the prisoner swap
In their very own assertion, Griner’s family members expressed assist for the Whelan household and promised to proceed praying for him, in line with Sports activities Illustrated.
“We sincerely thanks all for the type phrases, ideas and prayers — together with Paul and the Whelan household who've been beneficiant with their assist for Brittney and our household throughout what we all know is a heartbreaking time. We pray for Paul and for all wrongfully detained Individuals’ swift and secure return,” the assertion mentioned.