The WNBA star, who had spent the previous 10 months in a Russian prison, had just returned to the US when she was first captured on camera on December 9.
After spending ten months in captivity in Russia, Brittney Griner is now safely back in the United States. The WNBA player, 32, was first noticed on Friday, December 9 after her plane touched down in San Antonio, Texas.
Brittney was in "very good spirits" when she got home, according to the White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator.
Brittney's detention in Russia had been protested, with many Americans calling for her release and officials speaking out on her behalf. President Joe Biden announced Brittney's release on Thursday.
She allegedly exchanged her freedom for the release of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who had been detained in 2008 on suspicion of planning to kill Americans.
According to him, Brittney has had a horrible few months.
I'm happy to report that Brittney is in good spirits. She is relieved to be returning home, but the fact remains that she has lost months of her life and endured ...
...an unnecessary trauma. She deserves time with her family to recover from her time spent being wrongfully detained and deserves space and privacy to do so.
Cherelle also thanked the president for all of the effort he put forth to facilitate her return home.
I'm just standing here overcome with emotions, but the most important feeling is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration, she said.
The NBA star argued on behalf of his company Uninterrupted that BG's detention must be ended out of respect for the sanctity of all sport and for all Americans traveling abroad. BG has been held ...
...inhumanely for more than 100 days in a Russian prison and has been denied contact with her family and loved ones. As a decorated Olympian and member of an elite global sports community.
While Brittney's release was certainly exciting, Biden also acknowledged that the administration was unable to negotiate the release of Paul ...
...Whelan, who is also being held in Russia after being accused of espionage. Whelan is also being held after being accused of espionage.
Paul Brittney was detained in March for having marijuana vape cartridges, not long after Russia's conflict with Ukraine ...
...started, and both the president and Cherelle said they planned to keep working tirelessly to secure his release.
In a November appearance on The View, Cherelle revealed that she had only spoken to her three times since her arrest. She ...
...was tried and found guilty in August. While she was incarcerated, Cherelle claimed to have had little contact with her.