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Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap by the US. In exchange for the basketball star’s released, the US has freed arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was arrested after a DEA sting in Thailand.
President Joe Biden has confirmed Ms Griner has been released, saying on Twitter: “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
“She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”
The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval by Mr Biden within just the last week, according to sources familiar with the deal.
The WNBA player was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for possessing cannabis oil, and was sent to a penal colony in November.
A White House official said the President spoke to Ms Griner by phone in the Oval Office, where Mr Biden was joined by Cherelle Griner, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
As is standard procedure for freed US prisoners, Ms Griner was expected to quickly undergo a medical evaluation.
