The Deal That Freed Brittney Griner
Cherelle Griner (R), spouse of US women's basketball player Brittney Griner, looks on as US President Joe Biden, announces the release of Brittney Griner. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Cherelle Griner (R), spouse of US women's basketball player Brittney Griner, looks on as US President Joe Biden, announces the release of Brittney Griner.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Biden on Thursday announced the negotiated release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a penal colony in Russia and her return to the U.S. She had been detained since February, when Russian authorities found a small amount of hash oil in vape cartidges that were in her luggage when she arrived in the country.
In return, the U.S. released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
NPR's White House Correspondent Franco Ordoñez and Moscow Correspondent Charles Maynes walk through the details of the deal.
And White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby explains how the negotiations unfolded.
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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan, Jonaki Mehta and Elena Burnett. It was edited by William Troop, Nishant Dahiya, Krishnadev Calamur, Ashley Brown and Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.