(Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The basketball star's release was confirmed by President Joe Biden; however, retired Marine Corps Major Paul Whelan remains imprisoned in Russia.
WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia for months, was freed Thursday in a prisoner exchange for international weapons dealer Viktor Bout.
US President Joe Biden announced the good news via Twitter:"She's safe. She's on a plane. She's on her way home."
CBS News broke the news of the exchange, which took place in the United Arab Emirates and was verified by a US official, before any other media outlet.
Sources acquainted with the subject said that President Biden gave final assent to the one-for-one swap arrangement agreed upon with Moscow in the past week.
The deal had been made as of last Thursday, according to five former US officials.
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT
A spokesperson from the White House said that President Trump talked with Brittney Griner over the phone in the Oval Office, where Griner's wife Cherelle, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, were present.
After her release, Griner will go through a medical examination, which is a usual practice for all released American inmates.
Biden Feels Happy About Griner's Release, Blasts Russia's Unlawful Trial
At the White House, Biden said that he was "happy to be able to report Brittney is in good spirits" and that Phoenix Mercury star was preparing to return to the United States.
President Joe Biden has stated that she "didn't beg for special treatment" and that he doesn't believe in the lawfulness of the "show trial in Russia" that put Brittney Griner behind bars.
The release of Brittney Griner was secured by the president's decision to have Bout released and sent back to Russia. President Biden shortened Bout's 25-year federal prison term by signing a commutation order.
Al Jazeera reports that Russia's foreign ministry has confirmed to have swapped American basketball player Brittney Griner for Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout.
According to Russian media outlets, Bout and Griner were exchanged at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Russian media outlets said that he was still being transported by helicopter to the Moscow suburb of Vnukovo, per the BBC.
Whelan Remains in Russian Jail
Retired Marine Corps Major Paul Whelan remains a prisoner in Russia after the Griner for Bout swap. Whelan has spent almost four years in a Russian prison. The United States rejects the espionage conviction he received.
President Joe Biden said on Thursday, "We've not forgotten about Paul Whelan," adding that his administration will "never give up" on its efforts to get him released.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret for the Biden administration's inability to obtain the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan while praising Russia for releasing American Brittney Griner from jail.
"While we celebrate Brittney's release, Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly," Blinken noted, as reported by CNBC.
The White House Official underscored that it would have been ideal if Paul could have flown home with Brittney Griner. Nevertheless, he added, the US government will not give up in trying to get Paul and any other Americans held captive or unlawfully incarcerated overseas released and returned home to their loved ones.
In 2018, police in the United States detained Whelan on allegations of being a U.S. spy. He has been sentenced to a 25-year jail term.
The Biden administration proposed trading convicted weapons trader Viktor Bout for Griner and Whelan in July. Moscow initially declined the offer.
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