WNBA star Brittney Griner has finally been released from Russian detention & is on her way back to the United States. Moscow swapped the athlete for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout commuting his 25-year prison sentence. Griner had been in Russian custody since her arrest at an airport near Moscow in February. Kierra Johnson, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director stated, “From day one, our hearts have been with Brittney Griner, her wife Cherelle, her family & countless fans. So many raised their voices to call for her return, a movement to #freeBG that included the WNBA, the LGBTQ community around the world & millions of fans & others. Number 42 has been hanging on my wall as a daily reminder of the violence & discrimination Black people, LGBTQ folks & women regularly endure in this country & around the world. After being held for months in a Russian prison on drug charges, we are overjoyed & relieved she has been released today in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout. We thank President Biden & all those who relentlessly negotiated & advocated for her release & return to her family. Now her jersey will be a celebration & reminder of the resilience of our people & the power of our community. We advocate for the swift return of every American being held against their will as political pawns of governments that have wrongfully detained them, especially Paul Whelan. No one should have to endure what these families have & we must continue to fight for their freedom.” Last March I talked to Aron Solomon chief legal analyst at Esquire Digital about Griner’s detainment in Russia.
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