Brittney Griner plays for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. She was released in a prisoner exchange this morning after having been detained in Russia since Feb.
17. After 294 days in Russian jails, WNBA star Brittney Griner is on her way home. President Joe Biden tweeted this morning (Thursday, Dec.
8): “I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.” Photos show the president and Griner’s wife, Cherelle, talking to Griner on speaker phone as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken stand nearby, watching the call.
Paul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine accused of spying by Russian authorities remains in prison there after having been sentenced in 2020 to 16 years.