WASHINGTON — Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, was released on Thursday after nearly 10 months of captivity in a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death,” President Biden announced.
In a brief statement from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, with Cherelle Griner, Ms. Griner’s wife, by his side, Mr. Biden confirmed the release and said that Ms. Griner would be back in the United States within 24 hours.
“I spoke with Brittany Griner,” Mr. Biden said. “She’s safe. She’s on a plane.