UPDATE: Brittney Griner is coming home

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

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022

Griner, the basketball star and wife of Little Rock native Cherelle Griner, was released from Russian detention earlier today. According to a tweet from President Joe Biden, Griner is on a plane and on her way home.

A photo showed Biden alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Cherelle Griner.

Brittney Griner had been in Russian custody since she was arrested for possession of a vape cartridge containing a small amount of hashish oil. Griner was later sentenced to nine years, lost an appeal and was transferred to a Russian penal colony.

According to CNN, Griner was traded for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the ‘Merchant of Death.’

UPDATE:

Cherelle Griner spoke at the White House this morning. She expressed her happiness and thanked those who helped win Brittney’s release and expressed sadness for the American detainees not released today.

Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle, spoke at the White House following the news of Brittney’s release from Russia. pic.twitter.com/9STErB8ow2

— ESPN (@espn) December 8, 2022