Brittney Griner says she will advocate for other Americans detained abroad
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A video grab shows Brittney Griner on a plane headed for the US after her release from a Russian penal colony.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK - US basketball star Brittney Griner, who on Friday left an Army medical centre where she had been recuperating following her release from a Russian penal colony
Ms Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and eight-times Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star, left the Brooke Army Medical Centre a week after she arrived at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, CNN reported.
“The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going,” she said, in her first public statement since returning to the United States.
“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” she said, referring to the former US Marine still being held in Russia.
“I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you.”
Ms Griner arrived at the medical centre last Friday after US officials secured her freedom from Russia in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Ms Griner, 32, was arrested on Feb 17 at an airport outside Moscow for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.
She was subsequently convicted of drug smuggling and later transferred to one of Russia’s most notorious penal colonies, where former inmates have described torture, harsh beatings and slave labour conditions.
Ms Griner said she plans to return to her WNBA team.
“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 said. REUTERS
