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The IK-2 penal colony. AFP
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Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said US basketball star Brittney Griner (L) had been traded for Viktor Bout (R) in a prisoner release exchange. AFP
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WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in the plane as she flies out of Russia on Friday, December 9, 2022. Russian Federal Security Service / AP
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President Joe Biden speaks to reporters about Griner's release. Reuters
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Cherelle Griner talks about the release of her wife. Reuters
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Mr Biden thanked his administration and the UAE, which enabled Griner's release along with Saudi Arabia. AP
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Griner in action in an Arizona game in 2021. Getty Images / AFP
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'Welcome home Brittney,' Mr Biden said at the White House. AP
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Viktor Bout in 2009 before his extradition to the US. AFP
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Nicknamed the Merchant of Death, Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organisation. AFP
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Griner holds a picture of her basketball team from behind bars. AFP
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Griner in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
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Mr Biden and others speak to Griner by phone after her release from Russia. Reuters
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Griner in action in Saitama, Japan. AP
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A Griner supporter at a WNBA basketball game in Chicago in August. AP
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Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was arrested for alleged spying. Mr Biden said he would would 'never give up' fighting for his release. AP
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The entrance of the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas where Griner was held. AFP
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The IK-2 penal colony. AFP
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Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said US basketball star Brittney Griner (L) had been traded for Viktor Bout (R) in a prisoner release exchange. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5IJQPTDCW5BMCGPRN3OQXMX4RA.jpg?smart=true&auth=544b96f9017e6d4599a39b8447cab0facab978034bbcb2d9a5c339d266ea48f0&width=400&height=225)
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in the plane as she flies out of Russia on Friday, December 9, 2022. Russian Federal Security Service / AP
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President Joe Biden speaks to reporters about Griner's release. Reuters
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Cherelle Griner talks about the release of her wife. Reuters
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Mr Biden thanked his administration and the UAE, which enabled Griner's release along with Saudi Arabia. AP
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Griner in action in an Arizona game in 2021. Getty Images / AFP
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'Welcome home Brittney,' Mr Biden said at the White House. AP
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Viktor Bout in 2009 before his extradition to the US. AFP
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Nicknamed the Merchant of Death, Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organisation. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6FKR6VNCWVGRHMGEKBK4DNBVA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b5518405229ecaf3d14c2da7e8e9c6bf81a1be1f6357addc66c210d1625f23be&width=400&height=225)
Griner holds a picture of her basketball team from behind bars. AFP
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Griner in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
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Mr Biden and others speak to Griner by phone after her release from Russia. Reuters
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Griner in action in Saitama, Japan. AP
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A Griner supporter at a WNBA basketball game in Chicago in August. AP
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Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was arrested for alleged spying. Mr Biden said he would would 'never give up' fighting for his release. AP
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The entrance of the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas where Griner was held. AFP
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The IK-2 penal colony. AFP