WNBA Star Brittney Griner Released from Russian Custody in Prisoner Swap

Mar. 15, 2025

Brittney Grinerhas been released from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap, after spending nearly 10 months in custody.

The WNBA star, 32, who was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges, wasreleased in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bouton Thursday, CBS News reported, citing a U.S. official.

NBC News reports President Joe Bidensigned off on the trade, which took place in the United Arab Emirates. Biden, 80, who is expected to give remarks later Thursday morning, alsotweeted: “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,” alongside photographs of himself, Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle.

Griner iscurrently in the custody of American officials, a U.S. official told CNN. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap, the outlet said.

Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Brittney Griner.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty

Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison on Aug. 10, just below the maximum allowed sentence of 10 years. Griner’s lawyers said at the time, in a statement shared with PEOPLE, that the verdict is “absolutely unreasonable” and said they will “certainly file an appeal.”

For more on Brittney Griner, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

source: people.com