Moscow releases Brittney Griner in prisoner swap
American basketball player Brittney Griner, imprisoned since February in Russia for possession and trafficking of cannabis, was released as part of a prisoner exchange, the President of the United States announced on Thursday.
“She is safe. She’s on the plane. She’s on her way home.”writes Joe Biden on Twitter, adding to have spoken by telephone with her. The Russian Foreign Ministry clarified that the basketball player had been exchanged for the arms dealer Viktor Boutwho was serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States. “On December 8, 2022, the exchange procedure of the Russian citizen Victor Bout once morest the American national, who was serving prison sentences in the United States and Russia respectively, was completed at Abu Dhabi airport”he announced.
“I also want to thank the United Arab Emirates for helping us facilitate Brittney’s release. That’s where she landed.”, then declared Joe Biden, during a press conference at the White House. According to him, the player’s morale is good, but she will need time and privacy to overcome her ” trauma “. Cherelle Griner, the basketball star’s wife, who was with the President of the United States, expressed her “sincere gratitude” and said to herself “submerged” by emotion.
The Russian-American negotiations on prisoner exchanges – described as“intense and laborious” by Joe Biden – have continued in recent months, despite tensions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. In addition to Brittney Griner, the Americans wanted to secure the release of former Marine Paul Whelan, detained since the end of 2018 in Russia where he was convicted of espionage.
“Unfortunately and for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating the Paul (Whelan) file differently from that of Brittney”lamented Joe Biden. “Even though we haven’t been able to get Paul (Whelan) released yet, we’re not giving up. We will never give up”he added.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) figure Brittney Griner was arrested at Moscow-Sheremetyevo airport on February 17 – a week before the start of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine – with electronic cigarette cartridges containing cannabis oil in his luggage.
The basketball player, who has a prescription for therapeutic cannabis in the United States to relieve chronic pain, was sentenced in August to nine years in prison by Russian justice for possession and trafficking of cannabis.
