Last week, WNBA star Brittney Griner returned to the U.S. after being detained in Russia for 10 months over drug charges.
The Biden administration exchanged Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” who was serving a 25 year sentence in a U.S. prison. But it wasn’t able to negotiate the release of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. marine who’s been detained in Russia for more than three years for allegedly spying, despite efforts to include him in the swap.“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up,” he told CNN after Griner’s release, adding, “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.” Whelan added: “My bags are packed. I’m ready to go home. I just need an airplane to come and get me.”With her release, Griner has vowed to do everything she can to bring Whelan home. “President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” she wrote. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”Griner also made it clear that she plans to play basketball again.“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” she wrote.
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