US WNBA Athlete Brittney Griner Finally Returns to US after Wrongful Imprisonment in Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner getting off a plane at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, after her release in a prisoner exchange with Russia, Friday, Dec. 9. Photo: Eric Gay / AP Newsroom

After a 10-month ordeal incarcerated in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner finally returned safely to the US on Fri., Dec. 9 in a prisoner exchange with infamous international arms dealer Viktor Bout, otherwise known as the "merchant of death." 

The prisoner swap took place on Thurs., Dec. 8 at the Abu Dhabi airport tarmac with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia serving as mediators according to a joint statement from the countries. The trade with Bout, who was arrested in 2008 in Thailand and extradited to the US in 2010, was signed off by President Biden on Dec. 2. Once US officials met with Griner, the exchange was officially finalized. 

Details of the swap were kept private in advance as Russian authorities previously warned that no deals would be negotiated publically. White House officials complied to avoid Russia pulling out of the agreement or potentially risking Griner's well-being.

Earlier this year, Griner was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport for possession of a vape cartridge containing less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Her arrest coincided with Russia starting its invasion of Ukraine which complicated all U.S. dealings with the Kremlin.

The US government officially declared Griner wrongfully imprisoned two months after her arrest with officials suspecting that Russia was using US prisoners as leverage. Following this, she was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. On Nov. 9, Griner was transferred to an undisclosed Russian penal colony, losing contact with her lawyers in the process. 

Currently, Griner is staying at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas where she is undergoing medical evaluations as confirmed in a statement from the facility. 

“We are now focused on ensuring that Brittney and her family’s well-being are prioritized and that all available assistance can be offered to them appropriately,” stated US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel in a news briefing. 

With the exchange completed, critics are analyzing the deal more closely with some questioning why Marine veteran Paul Whelan remains in Russian custody. Whelan, who was convicted on espionage charges which he denies, was also included in the swap negotiations alongside Griner.

Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington following President Joe Biden's announcement of Griner's release in a prisoner exchange with Russia, Thurs., Dec. 8. Photo: Patrick Semansky / AP Newsroom

According to US officials, the possibility of securing the release of both Griner and Whelan in exchange for Bout was not likely after discussions with Russian authorities. The US had “a choice between bringing home one particular American — Brittney Griner — or bringing home none,” said Patel in that earlier briefing. 

In a post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump called the deal “stupid” and “unpatriotic,” deeming that Griner did not deserve to be included in the swap due to alleged “hatred” for the US. However, during his presidency, Trump was “not particularly interested” in freeing Whelan from Russian prison according to former White House national security official Fiona Hill. 

David Whelan, Paul Whelan’s brother, criticized Trump for his "disappointing" perspective on the deal particularly after his administration failed to free Whelan.

The Biden administration claims that negotiations to secure Whelan’s release with Russia are ongoing while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the exchange is not a sign of improvements in US-Russian relations. For Whelan’s release, Russia stated it wants the release of its’ assassin Vadim Krasikov, who is currently jailed in Germany. 

Whelan expressed his happiness towards Griner’s release in a statement with CNN. However, he is “greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up.”

In a statement on Thursday, Griner’s family thanked the Biden administration and expressed their appreciation for all the public support they received during the difficult time. The family also thanked the Whelan family for their support for Griner as well. 

“Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware, there are so many families that are not whole,” stated Cherelle Griner, the wife of Griner, during a press release at the White House. Mrs. Griner promised that she and her wife are fully committed to helping other families release their loved ones incarcerated overseas, including Paul Whelan’s.

“We pray for Paul and for the swift and safe return of all wrongfully-detained Americans.”