American basketball star Brittney Griner will return to the USA after being released from Russia in a prisoner swap with arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The two-time Olympic champion travelled to Russia in February to compete during the WNBA off season, but she was arrested after cannabis oil was found in her luggage.
In August, Griner was convicted of smuggling and possessing narcotics, and she was handed a nine-year jail term - to be served in a Russian penal colony - in October.
However, American president Joe Biden confirmed on Thursday that Griner would be returning home after negotiating a prisoner swap with Russia for the release of Bout.
Bout was jailed for 25 years in 2010 for conspiring to support terrorists and kill Americans, having been arrested in Bangkok in 2008 before being extradited to the USA two years later.
A tweet from Biden showed the 80-year-old with Griner's wife Cherelle Griner in the Oval Office with the caption: "Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home."
Russia's foreign ministry also confirmed news of Griner's release and Bout's imminent arrival, saying in a statement: "The Russian citizen has been returned to his homeland."
Griner, who labelled her actions an "honest mistake", represents the Phoenix Mercury during the WNBA season and is an eight-time All Star.
