Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said US basketball star Brittney Griner (L) had been traded for Viktor Bout (R) in a prisoner release exchange. AFP
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said US basketball star Brittney Griner (L) had been traded for Viktor Bout (R) in a prisoner release exchange. AFP
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in the plane as she flies out of Russia on Friday, December 9, 2022. Russian Federal Security Service / AP
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in the plane as she flies out of Russia on Friday, December 9, 2022. Russian Federal Security Service / AP
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters about Griner's release. Reuters
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters about Griner's release. Reuters
Cherelle Griner talks about the release of her wife. Reuters
Cherelle Griner talks about the release of her wife. Reuters
Mr Biden thanked his administration and the UAE, which enabled Griner's release along with Saudi Arabia. AP
Mr Biden thanked his administration and the UAE, which enabled Griner's release along with Saudi Arabia. AP
Griner in action in an Arizona game in 2021. Getty Images / AFP
Griner in action in an Arizona game in 2021. Getty Images / AFP
'Welcome home Brittney,' Mr Biden said at the White House. AP
'Welcome home Brittney,' Mr Biden said at the White House. AP
Viktor Bout in 2009 before his extradition to the US. AFP
Viktor Bout in 2009 before his extradition to the US. AFP
Nicknamed the Merchant of Death, Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organisation. AFP
Nicknamed the Merchant of Death, Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organisation. AFP
Griner holds a picture of her basketball team from behind bars. AFP
Griner holds a picture of her basketball team from behind bars. AFP
Griner in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
Griner in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
Mr Biden and others speak to Griner by phone after her release from Russia. Reuters
Mr Biden and others speak to Griner by phone after her release from Russia. Reuters
Griner in action in Saitama, Japan. AP
Griner in action in Saitama, Japan. AP
A Griner supporter at a WNBA basketball game in Chicago in August. AP
A Griner supporter at a WNBA basketball game in Chicago in August. AP
Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was arrested for alleged spying. Mr Biden said he would would 'never give up' fighting for his release. AP
Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was arrested for alleged spying. Mr Biden said he would would 'never give up' fighting for his release. AP
The entrance of the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas where Griner was held. AFP
The entrance of the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas where Griner was held. AFP
The IK-2 penal colony. AFP
The IK-2 penal colony. AFP

World

US

Who is Brittney Griner, the American released for arms dealer Viktor Bout?

WNBA star released from Russian penal colony in exchange for the 'Merchant of Death'

Willy Lowry
Willy Lowry
Washington

December 08, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Brittney Griner, the US basketball star who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges, is on her way home via Abu Dhabi.

Griner’s release comes 10 months after customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

She had been sentenced to more than nine years in prison and was serving her sentence in a remote penal colony.

Read More

Biden: Brittney Griner safe and 'on her way home'

Who is Brittney Griner?

Griner's arrest in February sent shock waves throughout the US sports landscape, including the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The 2-metre-tall centre was a star player at Baylor University in Texas and her professional career equalled her sterling college years.

She is an eight time all-star, two-time scoring leader and won a team championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014.

In addition to her professional career, she won two Olympic gold medals with the US women’s national team in 2016 and 2021.

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP

Griner often spent the WNBA off-season playing abroad in China and Russia. She was on her way to play in the Russian Women's Basketball Premier League when she was detained.

What happened when was she released?

After months of negotiations, the administration of President Joe Biden secured her release in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in the US.

Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner said her family is once again complete.

“Today my family is whole. But as you all are aware, there's so many other families who are not whole,” Ms Griner said.

The sports world applauded the Biden administration for bringing Griner home.

“As her USA Basketball family, we are grateful for the work of the US government and everyone who has worked behind the scenes to achieve this outcome,” USA Basketball said in a statement.

Sue Bird, one of basketball's all-time greats, tweeted “BG is free” with a heart emoji.

While you're here
The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

On Women's Day
While you're here
MATCH INFO

Schalke 0

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Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)

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Key facilities
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Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
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Updated: December 09, 2022, 5:59 AM`
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