BREAKING: WNBA star Brittney Griner has arrived back in the U.S. after being freed from Russia in a high profile prisoner swap.
U.S. officials said the athlete had been wrongfully detained by Russia. President Joe Biden, who said he approved the deal that saw Griner freed, said Thursday that she had been"held under intolerable circumstances."
The prisoner swap is one of the most high-profile to have taken place between Moscow and Washington since the Cold War.The Biden administration had faced significant pressure to help bring home Griner, with her teammates, family and friends, as well as a number of U.S. celebrities, lobbying for her return.
In a written statement Thursday night, the Griner family thanked Biden, his administration and others for their efforts. “We sincerely thank you all for the kind words, thoughts and prayers — including Paul and the Whelan family who have been generous with their support for Brittney and our family during what we know is a heartbreaking time,” the family said. “We pray for Paul and for the swift and safe return of all wrongfully-detained Americans.
Whelan’s brother, David Whelan, said in a statement that while he can “literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays,” the inability to also bring Whelan home is difficult for the family to process.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brittney Griner release: ‘Today my family is whole,’ says wife Cherelle GrinerBrittney Griner's wife Cherelle is 'overwhelmed with emotions' over the WNBA star's release, but said that she and BG will remain committed to getting other detained Americans, like Paul Whelan, back home to their families, too.
Read more »
Brittney Griner freed from Russian prisonWNBA star Brittney Griner was released as part of a prisoner exchange with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout
Read more »
Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swapRussia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, U.S.officials said. Read more at
Read more »
WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealerWNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention in a prisoner swap for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Read more »
Watch Live: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prisonBREAKING: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian prison, Biden says. She was previously convicted on drug charges.
Read more »
WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in prisoner swapGRINER RELEASED - President Joe Biden confirmed WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap.
Read more »