United States Women’s NBA star Brittney Griner has finally been freed from Russian prison after the two countries agreed to a prison swap involving a notorious Russian arms dealer.
Viktor Bout who was held in a U.S prison for the past 12 years was swapped for the female basketball star who was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for possessing cannabis oil and last month sent to a penal colony.
U.S President Joe Biden confirmed in a statement that Griner was safe and on a plane to America from the United Arab Emirates.
“I’m glad to say Brittney’s in good spirits… she needs time and space to recover,” he said at the White House.
Russia’s foreign ministry also confirmed the swap and said it had taken place at Abu Dhabi airport.
“The Russian citizen has been returned to his homeland,” it said in a statement.
The Biden administration proposed a prisoner exchange last July, aware Moscow had long sought Bout’s release.