Russia Releases Brittney Griner in Prisoner Exchange
Russia has freed U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a high-level prisoner exchange, according to a U.S. official.
News reports say the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Victor Bout as part of the deal.
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President Joe Biden tweeted that he spoke to Griner and that “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”
Griner, the twice Olympic gold medalist was arrested February 17 at a Moscow airport with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia. She was sentenced August 4 to nine years in a penal colony on charges of possessing and smuggling drugs.
