The family also expressed gratitude to former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Mickey Bergman, the executive director of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, for their help in facilitating the release. The statement thanked the family of Paul Whelan, the former US marine still held captive in Russia, for their support during a “heartbreaking time”. “We pray for Paul and for the speedy and safe return of all wrongfully imprisoned Americans,” the statement said. Griner is expected to arrive in the US late Thursday or early Friday.
