Phoenix Mercury expressed gratitude for Thursday’s prisoner exchange that brought home marine Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich. (Photo for Spencer Barnes/Special for Cronkite News)
PARIS – Twenty months after her own release, Brittany Griner called a historic prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia “a huge win.”
The swap included former marine Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich in a multi-country deal that freed 24 people.
“Great day,” Phoenix Mercury center Griner said Thursday after Team USA’s victory over Belgium in Lille. “I’m sure it will be even more emotional a little later on. Yeah, I’m just happy. This was a big win. … I know they have an amazing group of people that are going to help them out, them and their families.”
Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star and Phoenix Mercury center, was detained on Feb. 17, 2022, at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki, Russia. She was accused of having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in the country.
Months later, Griner was found guilty of smuggling illegal drugs with criminal intent and sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony. The harsh sentence drew international interest and immediate calls for her release.
Griner spent four months in the Russian prison system before her release on Dec. 8, 2022. In exchange for Griner. the United States released Russian arms dealer Victor Bout to Russian authorities.
Griner has reflected on her own experience in the Russian prison system in multiple interviews after her release. She has stated the penal colony in which she was held was dehumanizing and unsanitary, among other things.
In a statement Griner posted to her Instagram with her wife, Cherelle Griner, she wrote that they are “overwhelmed with joy and relief” and praised the Biden-Harris administration for orchestrating the release.
“Although today is one of celebration, our hearts go out to the many Americans still being held hostage overseas, and their families. As we extend support to those who have returned and celebrate the collective hands that helped to make American families whole – we must continue to do everything we can to shine a light on the remaining Americans detained.”
President Joe Biden also took to social media to share photos of the monumental exchange that depicted Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcoming the first three individuals back on U.S. soil from Russia.
“Tonight is about reuniting families,” Biden’s X post read. “Welcome home Paul, Evan, and Alsu. You’re right where you belong.”
Among the prisoners released was Whelan, who was sentenced in June of 2020 to 16 years in a Russian prison on charges of espionage.
“Paul was held hostage for 2,043 days. His case was that of an American in peril, held by the Russian Federation as part of their blighted initiative to use humans as pawns to extract concessions. Paul Whelan is free,” the Whelan family said in a statement Thursday.