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Russia: US basketball player Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in prison
WASHINGTON (77WABC) — Brittney Griner, the WNBA star held in a Russian prison on drug charges, was reportedly released in a prisoner swap Thursday, as per CBS News.
Sources familiar with the deal told CBS that U.S. officials say she was traded for international arms dealer Viktor Bout and was given final approval by President Joe Biden within just the last week. The swap reportedly took place Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.
The swap also carried a heavy price, with American Paul Whelan still detained in Russia on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government says baseless. Biden says Griner is “safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,.”
He spoke from the White House, where he was accompanied by Griner’s wife, Cherelle, and administration officials. Griner’s monthslong imprisonment on drug charges brought unprecedented attention to the population of wrongful detainees.
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