Brittney Griner has landed safely within the United States. After 9 months of what the Biden administration says was wrongful imprisonment, Griner is house simply in time for the December holidays.
And there are many conversations surrounding the athlete’s return. They embody Griner’s shaved locs, Paul Whelan’s response to the administration’s determination to go away him, the prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, and powerful opposition from politicians like Donald Trump.
Keep scrolling to compensate for every matter associated to BG’s return house:
Footage from the plane exhibits BG donning a slight smile, saying her temper is “happy.” The WNBA basketball participant first touched U.S. floor on the JBSA-Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio, Texas, per Getty Images, at about 5:40 a.m. ET.
The New York Times reviews that officers transported Griner to the Brooke Army Medical Center for an analysis and any essential medical remedy.
Biden Announces Brittney Griner’s Return To The U.S.
President Biden introduced that Griner was on a airplane headed house early Thursday by way of social media. Minutes later, Biden held a press convention. He spoke on Brittney’s “good spirits” and aid.
“…The fact remains that she’s lost months of her life and experienced needless trauma,” Biden stated. “She deserves space, privacy and time with her loved ones to recover and heal from her time being wrongfully detained.”
Tune in as I ship an vital announcement. https://t.co/2BVdSsmIFA
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
After weeks of negotiations, the Biden administration agreed to commerce convicted arms-dealer Bout for Griner. Viktor Bout has been accused of supplying weapons to felony organizations like rebels in Rwanda, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban.
In 2011, a New York jury convicted him of 4 counts, together with conspiring to kill American residents. Because of the prisoner swap, Bout served lower than half of his 25-year sentence. American intelligence officers nicknamed Bout the ‘Merchant of Death’ amid years of regulation enforcement evasion, per The New York Times.
The United States-Russia trade occurred within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday (Dec. 8).
Brittney Griner Forced To Shave Locs Due To Weather During Russian Imprisonment
Griner returned house with a unique look than when she arrived at Moscow’s airport in February. The champion athlete now has a shaved look quite than locs draping previous her shoulders–which she nonetheless had in August throughout her conviction and nine-year sentencing. Russian officers arrested BG after discovering two vape cartridges containing cannabis oil within the athlete’s baggage as she entered the county.
Her lawyer advised ESPN that the freezing temperatures in Russia pressured Griner to buzz her signature look two Sundays earlier than her launch. BG made the choice, doubtless in preparation to take a seat by way of her nine-year sentence.
“It’s very cold in there, and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill,” one in all Griner’s attorneys within the Russian trial, Maria Blagovolina, stated. “She should have waited until New Year’s Day.”
Blagovolina stated Griner didn’t have any complaints concerning the IK-2 jail. BG was reportedly too tall to work at stitching tables, so she was tasked with carrying cloth.
Paul Whelan ‘Disappointed’ By Biden Administration’s Efforts To Bring Him Home
During President Biden’s BG replace, he additionally spoke on the choice to go away Paul Whelan behind–faulting Russia for unwillingness to compromise. Whelan was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 on suspicions of spying on the international authorities. He was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in jail in 2020.
“We never forgot about Brittney. We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who’s been unjustly detained in Russia for years. This was not a choice of which American to bring home,” Biden stated. “We brought home, Trevor Reed, when we had a chance earlier this year. Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s. And while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release, we are not giving up, we will never give up.”
Shortly after the announcement, CNN solely interviewed Whelan. He was reportedly blissful for Griner’s launch however dissatisfied in his personal state of affairs.
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up,” Whelan stated.
Whelan stated he was underneath the impression that negotiations for his launch have been bettering however was conscious that Russia has been treating his case otherwise. Nonetheless, he’s prepared to come back house.
“My bags are packed. I’m ready to go home,” Whelan stated. “I just need an airplane to come and get me.”
Donald Trumps Calls Trade An ‘Embarrassment’ For U.S.
One factor about Trump, he speaks what he thinks, no matter who he offends. Brittney Griner is not any exception. On Thursday, following information of the swap, Trump took to his platform Truth Social with a rant concerning the prisoner swap. He in the end known as the choice “a stupid and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA.”
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