Britney Griner Released From Russian Prison

Almost ten months after being detained by Russian officials on February 17th, 2022 for having hashish oil in her luggage upon entering the country, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russia in a prisoner swap. The deal was made early during the week of December 4th, and Griner arrived back in the United States as of Friday, December 9th. 

Griner had been placed in a Russian labor camp for multiple months and was moved to a “penal colony” on November fourth. The prisoner swap made by President Biden included the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death” due to his ability to evade capture and the number of weapons he sold illegally around the world.

The WNBA is not rushing Griner to return to action, and her basketball future is currently undecided. She last played on October 17th, 2021, and her conditions in Russia were unhealthy, so a quick return to the sport is unlikely.

By Ellis Balser