Brittney Griner is FREE!!!

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WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from detention in Russia and is on a plane headed back to the United States.

Speaking at the White House, President Biden this morning announced Griner's release from imprisonment in Russia. She was swapped for a Russian arms dealer who was in prison in the U.S.

Griner was arrested at the Moscow airport on February 17th of this year. The Russians found her trying to leave the country with a few marijuana vape cartridges. She was tried for drug smuggling and sentenced to 9 years in prison.

Mr. Biden today thanked folks in his administration who worked for Brittney's release, along with officials in the United Arab Emirates who helped broker the prisoner swap between the Russians and Americans.

The president also mentioned the case of Paul Whelan, a Michigan native whose release from Russia he said U.S. officials continue working on. “We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who’s been unjustly detained in Russia for years,” said Biden.