Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner hasactually been launched from a Russian chastening nest and is in United States custody after a detainee exchange for arms dealership Viktor Bout, President Biden validated Thursday earlymorning.
CBS News was veryfirst to report the exchange.
In a news conference at the White House, Biden stated the exchange had been in the works for the past 2 weeks, and that he hadactually offered the last consent. He stated the exchange took location in the United Arab Emirates, and that he had spoken with Griner on the phone. Griner’s spouse, Cherelle Griner, was at the White House on Thursday.
Biden stated the “past coupleof months haveactually been hell for Brittney” however that she is in excellent spirits.
Brittney Griner ‘relieved to be heading house’
“We neverever forgot about Brittney,” Biden stated. “I’m happy to be able to state Brittney is in great spirits. She’s relieved to lastly be heading house, and the truth remains that she’s lost months of her life, knowledgeable a needless injury. She shouldhave area, personalprivacy and time with her enjoyed ones to recover and recover from her time being wrongfully apprehended.
“She composed to me back in July. She didn’t ask for unique treatment, even however we’d been working on her release from day one. She askedfor, a basic quote, ‘Please wear’t forget about me and the other American detainees,’ ” Biden added.
WHO IS VIKTOR BOUT?: Arms dealership and ‘Merchant of Death’ released in exchange for Brittney Griner
Biden stated the United States is still working to bring house Paul Whelan, who hasactually been imprisoned in Russia giventhat 2018 on charges of espionage.
Cherrelle Griner thanked Biden and the administration for their efforts.
“So over the last 9 months, you all haveactually been so privy to one of the darkest minutes of my life, and so today I’m simply standing here overwhelmed with e