Brittney Griner, a star basketballer in the Women National Basketball Association (WNBA), who has been detained for the past eight months, was released from Russia in a prisoner swap, President Joe Biden announced on Thursday. According to CNN, a source familiar with the matter said that the swap involves convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, commonly known as Merchant of Death. “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner,” Biden said in a Tweet. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.” The swap, however, did not include another American that the State Department had declared wrongfully detained, Paul Whelan. Biden, a White House official said, “will speak to the importance of Brittney being brought home safely” in his remarks. He is also expected to address Whelan and will reiterate the US “commitment to ensuring Paul Whelan comes home as well.” Reports indicate that Biden gave final approval for the prisoner swap freeing Griner over the past week. Biden was “personally involved and in constant touch” with his team as this deal came together in the final days and after he gave his personal green light to execute the trade.
