Britney Griner speaks publicly since release from Russian prison

“Since being released from a Russian prison, this is the first time Brittney Griner has made a public statement.” “I’m home,” Griner said in an emotional post to Instagram on Friday, after returning to the U.S. from Russia, where she was held for almost 10 months.
“It feels so good to be home!” the WNBA star wrote. ”
The last 10 months have been full of challenges. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart for your help.
Griner thanked her wife Cherelle, her family, her agents, her lawyers, WNBA teams and players, as well as her fans and advocates. She also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner said, referring to the ex-Marine who is still imprisoned in Russia. ”
“I will use my platform to help you in any way I can.” I encourage everyone who played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. “I believe that every family deserves to be whole.”
The basketball star posted a photo of herself stepping off a plane in Texas when she returned to the U.S., which included a picture of herself hugging her wife when they saw each other for the first time in nearly a year.
Griner has left the San Antonio military base where she was recuperating, according to ABC News. She is now heading home.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the entire PISA staff and medical team at the San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Base as I transition home to enjoy the holidays with my family,” Griner wrote. Thank you for taking the time to make sure I was okay and giving me the tools I need for this new journey.
Further clarification on her future plans was provided by the Phoenix Mercury star.
“I look forward to playing basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season and being able to say ‘thank you’ in person to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me soon,” she wrote.
After officials at a Moscow-area airport said she was in possession of vaping cartridges containing hashish oil, Griner was taken into custody in February. In Russia, the substance is illegal.
In July, the basketball star pleaded guilty. On Aug. 7, she was sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner appealed her sentence, but was rejected.
She found her freedom when the U.S. negotiated a deal with Russia to swap Griner for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.