Photos: Brittney Griner freed from Russian penal colony in high-level prisoner swap
WNBA star Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow, on Thursday. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February.
Brittney Griner is headed home after 294 days in Russian detention.
Russia freed the WNBA star Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, U.S. officials said. The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Biden but carried a heavy price — and left behind another American who has been jailed for nearly four years in Russia.
Speaking from the White House after Griner’s release, Biden said he had spoken to the WNBA star and she was in “good spirits” and “relieved to be finally heading home.”
Brittney Griner returns to a Russian court on Thursday amid a growing chorus of calls for Washington to do more to secure her release nearly five months after being arrested on drug charges.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
Brittney Griner speaks to her lawyers standing in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
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Brittney Griner holds a water bottle and photos as she is escorted to a courtroom in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on Thursday.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
Brittney Griner listens to the verdict standing in a cage in a courtroom in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia.
(Evgenia Novozhenina / Associated Press)
Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom in Khimki, outside Moscow.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
Griner has been held in Russia for almost five months.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
Brittney Griner enters the court in Khimki, Russia, for her trial on Thursday.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
Brittney Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February.
(Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP )
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Cherelle Griner, wife of Brittney Griner, speaks during a rally Wednesday in Phoenix to support Griner’s release.
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
A supporter holds up signs during a rally Wednesday in Footprint Center in Phoenix to support Brittney Griner’s release.
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
Supporters pose with a mural depicting Brittney Griner after a rally at Footprint Center in Phoenix to support the athlete’s release.
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
Phoenix Mercury players, coach and general manager attend Wednesday’s rally calling for the release of Brittney Griner.
(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
Supporters send a clear message at Wednesday’s rally in Phoenix.
