Brittney Griner landed safely in the US. After nine months of what the Biden administration said was wrongful imprisonment, Griner returned home in time for the December holiday.
And there’s a lot of chatter around the athlete’s comeback. These include Griner’s shaved head, Paul Whelan’s reaction to the authorities’ decision to leave him, the prisoner exchange for Viktor Bout and strong opposition from politicians like Donald Trump.
Keep scrolling to follow each topic related to BG coming home:
Footage from the plane shows BG giving a small smile, saying that her mood is bad. “delight.” WNBA basketball players hit US soil for the first time at JBSA-Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio, Texas, every beautiful pictures, at about 5:40 a.m. ET.
The New York Times reported that officials transported Griner to Brooke Army Medical Center for necessary medical evaluation and treatment.
Biden announces Brittney Griner’s return to the US
President Biden announced that Griner had boarded a plane home early Thursday morning via social media. Minutes later, Biden held a press conference. He spoke on Brittney’s.”good spirit” and relief.
“…The reality is she lost months of her life and went through unnecessary trauma,” Biden said. “She deserves space, privacy and time with her loved ones to recuperate and heal from her wrongful incarceration.”
Pay attention when I make an important announcement. https://t.co/2BVdSsmIFA
– President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
After weeks of negotiations, the Biden administration agreed to trade convicted arms dealer Bout for Griner. Viktor Bout is accused of supplying weapons to criminal organizations such as Rwandan rebels, Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
In 2011, a New York jury convicted him of four counts, including conspiracy to kill American citizens. Because of the prisoner swap, Bout served less than half of his 25-year sentence. American intelligence officers nicknamed ‘Death Traders’ for years evaded law enforcement, each The New York Times.
The US-Russia exchange took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday (December 8).
Brittney Griner was forced to shave due to weather during Russian detention
Griner returned home with a different look than when he arrived at the airport in Moscow in February. The champion athlete now has a shaved look rather than shoulder-length capes – something she still had in August during her nine-year conviction and sentence. Russian officials arrested BG after discovering two vape canisters containing cannabis oil in the athlete’s luggage as she entered the district.
Her lawyer said GAME that freezing temperatures in Russia forced Griner to notice her signature two Sundays before her release. BG made the decision, likely in preparation for her nine-year sentence.
“It was very cold there, and every time she washed her hair, she got cold and chills,” said Maria Blagovolina, one of Griner’s lawyers during the Russian trial. “She should have waited until New Year’s Day.”
Blagovolina said Griner did not have any complaints about the IK-2 prison. BG was supposed to be too tall to work at the sewing table, so she was tasked with carrying the fabric.
Paul Whelan ‘Disappointed’ by Biden administration’s efforts to bring him home
In President Biden’s BG update, he also spoke about the decision to let Paul Whelan stay – blaming Russia for its unwillingness to compromise. Whelan was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 on suspicion of spying for foreign governments. He was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020.
“We never forgot Brittney. Let’s not forget Paul Whelan, who was unjustly detained in Russia for many years. This is not an option to bring any Americans home,” Biden said. “We brought Trevor Reed home when we had the opportunity earlier this year. Sadly, for completely illegal reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s. And while we have not succeeded in securing Paul’s release, we will not give up, we will never give up.”
Immediately after the announcement, CNN Whelan exclusive interview. He is said to be happy that Griner is freed but frustrated about his own plight.
Whelan said: “I am deeply disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest approaches.
Whelan said he was under the impression that negotiations to free him were improving but was aware that Russia had treated his case differently. However, he is ready to return home.
“My bag is full. I’m ready to go home,” Whelan said. “I just need a plane to come and pick me up.”
Donald Trumps Calls Trade ‘Embarrassment’ For America
There’s one thing about Trump, he says what he thinks, no matter who he offends. Brittney Griner is no exception. On Thursday, following news of the prisoner exchange, Trump took to his Truth Social platform with a speech about the prisoner exchange. Finally he called the decision “a stupid and unpatriotic shame on the United States.”
