The President of the United States, Joe Biden has shared a word with the wife of women’s basketball star Brittney Griner on Wednesday, informing her that he is currently working to ensure her spouse’s release from Russia’s detention, the White House stated.
2-time Olympian Griner, who has been kept in Russia from February, has to face up to 10 years in jail on charges of smuggling cannabis vape cartridges into the nation.
As per the statement released by the White House, “President Biden, joined by Vice President Harris, shared a word with Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner who is wrongfully imprisoned in Russia under intolerable cases.”
It further added, “The president called Cherelle to reassure her that he is currently working to ensure Brittney’s release as soon as possible,” & read her a draft of a letter he is sending to the WNBA star.
Griner, 31, was imprisoned in the days before Russia began its full-scale military operation against Ukraine, after which the US & its allies imposed unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia.
Her case has become one of many noting points in ties between the United States & Russia, with Washington putting its special envoy in charge of hostages on the case.
In a hand-written letter presented to the White House on US Independence Day, Griner had asked Biden to help free her from a Russian prison.
“I understand you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about the other American Detainees and me,” Griner wrote. “Please do all you can to ensure to bring us home.”
