US basketball star Brittney Griner was in Russian custody since February 2022, on the basis of smuggling charges
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova joined sports fans across the globe to celebrate the release of US basketball star, Brittney Griner. The 32-year-old was arrested on smuggling charges in Russia after she was found carrying vaporizer cartridges containing less than a gram of hash oil. Griner was released by Russia yesterday as a part of a prisoner exchange which saw that arms dealer Viktor Bout was handed over to the Russians by the USA.
Brittney Griner spent 294 days in a Russian jail before being freed yesterday. The elaborate prisoner exchange involved two private planes bringing the Griner and Bout to Abu Dhabi airport from Moscow and Washington, and then flying them home. Griner’s wife Cherelle was understandably thrilled and praised the efforts of the Biden administration in securing her release.
After the release was confirmed, tennis icon Navratilova wrote on Twitter: “Brittney is going home- thank you to all who made it happen- welcome home Champ!!!”
Twitter reacts to Martina Navratilova’s tweet on Brittney Griner
Let us take a look at some of the reactions from fans on Twitter.
“I agree. Have prayed for the release of Brittney and Paul Whelan nightly. What about Paul Whelan, a U.S. Marine?”, wrote a user.
“Long overdue? @BarackObama,by hostage standards,she’s out in LIGHTENING time.When will U stop taking diluted,conviction lacking positions & actually take a strong stand?Still trying 2 please ALL the pp.Remember what that did in 2008-2012?Gd bless Brittany & fam. Thank you @POTUS”, read a tweet.
“You bring Brittany back , but leave a marine behind. Absolutely nothing to celebrate”, tweeted another user.
Another user wrote: “She hates America !! Leave her sorry ass and bring home a marine….take Martina”
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