The US government plane carrying Brittney Griner landed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in the early hours of Friday morning after she spent nearly 10-months behind bars, the last weeks of which were served at a penal colony outside Moscow which could have been her home for the duration of the stiff 9-year sentence she was given for bringing cannabis vape cartridges into Russia.
Footage released by the Russian side showed the prior day’s controversial prisoner swap at a UAE airport tarmac, which saw convicted international arms trafficker Victor Bout freed and given over the Russian officials. Later, he reportedly carried a bouquet of flowers as he emerged upon touching down in Moscow, and embraced his wife and mother.
Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, tweeted in announcing Griner’s long-awaited return to US soil, “So happy to have Brittney back on U.S. soil. Welcome home BG!”
Given the US government had months ago officially deemed her ‘wrongfully detained’ – or essentially a hostage, she’s expected to be taken to a nearby Army hospital for a health review and observation before returning to her family.
As for Bout’s homecoming, the Kremlin continues hailing it as a ‘victory’ while saying he’ll receive a hero’s welcome. Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova went so far as to call Bout a “wonderful man who has become a victim of American insinuations.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that embassies and officials around the world were receiving messages of support from “people in Russia and abroad.” “Incredible!” Zakharova said on Telegram. “They are thanking the country.”
There’s speculation that Griner and Bout may have shaken hands, but which may have been edited out of the video footage:
PAUL,
C’mon man you are a heterosexual, and she is intersexual…
This administration is a CIRCUS FREAK SHOW
Whites finish Last in Democrat Regime of America !!!! Like the Ones Biden Left in Afghanistan !!!
ALL a RACIST case favoring a Black > Hate America Monger over a US Marine !!!! & Releasing a Terrorist !!!!
Like Obama releasing Those who will Kill again !!!!
He really did get ripped off! He’s the one who should have gotten out first.
Biden needs her Vote because it may be the ONLY one he gets !!!
Racist Congresswoman Maxine Waters pushed to get Back the Black First !!!!
Hate Mongers Jackson , Farakon , Sharpton CELEBRATE !!
Because we have tilted so far to the left a real American is over looked for a transgender who wanted to play with females because he was no good with his own kind but he was bigger and stronger than the females and this country ate it up pity him no back 20 years ago this never would have been allowed. Even Caitlin Jenner has said it is wrong to have transgenders on the opposite sexes teams! But we have tilted so far to the left and the Dems and wokes that we accept what they dish out. This country is going to go down if we don’t correct our errors and quick.
When these idiots go to Russia or other Enemy countries they should do it at THEIR OWN RISK & don’t complain