Back in 2022, WNBA superstar Brittney Griner was released from wrongful imprisonment in Russia in a controversial prisoner swap for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the Merchant of Death. While Griner was released, former United States Marine Paul Whelan was left behind, and the women’s basketball superstar didn’t realize that would be the case.
During a recent interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Brittney Griner revealed that she originally thought that Paul Whelan was going to be released along with her.
“Everyone wanted Paul Whelan to be part of the exchange. She said she got on the plane thinking that Paul Whelan was going to be on that plane too when they were being released. And when they closed the door on the plane, she realized ‘Oh my God, he’s not a part of it,” Roberts explained, recalling her conversation with Griner.
Roberts went on to highlight Griner’s new organization Bringing Our Families Home which aims to free imprisoned Americans across the world, using her own experience in Russia as inspiration.
Griner spent 10 months of captivity in Russia following her drug arrest in Moscow in February of 2022. Now, she is back in the United States playing in the WNBA.
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