WNBA Player Brittney Griner Released by Russia in Prisoner Swap

By Savannah Rychcik December 8, 2022 at 8:45am

US Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, waits for the verdict inside a defendants' cage during a hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022. - A Russian court found Griner guilty of smuggling and storing narcotics after prosecutors requested a sentence of nine and a half years in jail for the athlete. (Photo by EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA / POOL / AFP) (EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

WNBA player Brittney Griner has been released from Russian prison after being held there for months.

On Thursday, CBS News learned from a U.S. official that Griner was released as part of a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The negotiated agreement with Moscow in recent weeks was reportedly approved by President Joe Biden, citing sources familiar with the deal.

According to CBS News, a White House official said Biden spoke to Brittney Griner over the phone.

He was joined in the Oval Office for the call by Griner’s wife, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Biden later tweeted, “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.”

Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.

She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022