He says he has made it a priority. The President of America, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in called the wife of Brittney Griner, star the American women’s women’s basketball who are held in Russia, and the most committed to the acceleration possible release. “The president called Cherelle [Griner] to reassure her that he is trying to get Brittney released as soon as possible.”, announced the White House, Wednesday, July 6 in a press release. During this call, the president also read to Cherelle Griner a draft of a letter that he plans to send to the double Olympic gold medalist (2016, 2020).
President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke earlier today with Cheryl Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife. https://t.co/sVbLlRwhEQ
Vaporizers and liquid based on cannabis
Brittney Griner should be tried in Russia for drug trafficking and smuggling. The Phoenix Mercury player was arrested in Moscow airport on February 17 after the discovery in his hand luggage “of vapers” and D’“a liquid with a particular smell” of cannabis oil, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service.
She came to Russia to play there during the American off-season, a common practice for women basketball players in the National Basketball Association of Women, the American professional women’s basketball league, who sometimes earn better than they do. She faces up to ten years in prison. She appeared on 1eh July before a court, near Moscow, for his trial, finally adjourned to Thursday, July 7.
The case is politically very sensitive, at a time when relations are at their worst between the United States and Russia, because of the latter’s invasion of Ukraine.
Letter delivered on July 4 to the White House
“Sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, my family, my friends, my Olympic jersey or anything I have accomplished, I am terrified of being here forever »wrote the champion in a letter symbolically deposited at the White House on July 4, Independence Day of the United States. “I know very well that you have to deal with a lot of things, but please don’t forget me and the other American detents”wrote the basketball player there.
The teammates of Brittney Griner lamented the lack of attention, particularly from the media. “Indignation is not strong enough”Brianna Turner said on the sidelines of a game against the Angeles Sparks. “And yes [la star de NBA] LeBron James w [la légende du football américain] Tom Brady, It Would Make Headlines Every Day”a review Sophie Cunningham, another player.
On Tuesday, Karine Jean-Pierre, spokesperson for the American president, was questioned about this letter. She had declared, laconically: “The president read the letter.”. This subject is a priority for the president (…). He’s doing everything he can.”. Karine Jean-Pierre also added that several senior officials were in regular contact with the champion’s family.
WH Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says Pres. Biden read WNBA star Brittney Griner’s letter to Russian… https://t.co/fZeBqI0eKf
Prisoner exchanges
“We want to put an end to this practice, whether in Russia or in another country, of detaining Americans or foreign nationals illegally for political gain”commented Tuesday Ned Price, spokesman for the State Department.
Asked about criticism from Brittney Griner’s family or teammates about the mobilization, he said the Biden administration didn’t want “Do or say anything that could compromise” opportunities for release. “We of course understand the desire of families to draw as much attention as possible to their cases”a confident Ned Price.
In Washington, Washington has declared itself in Russia “injustice” The star is 31 years old. His case is now in the hands, on the American side, of the special envoy of the United States in charge of persons taken hostage.
The Americans and Russians accuse each other of detaining their respective nationals for political purposes. Several exchanges of burgniers have taken place. In April, ex-marine American Trevor Reed, sentenced to nine years in Russia for dhuns, was exchanged for a Russian pilot, Konstantin Yaroshenko, imprisoned in the United States since puguef 2010.
Other exchanges of this type would be the subject of talks. Among the names most mentioned are that of Paul Whelan, an American sentenced to sixteen years in prison for spying and who claims his innocence, and the famous Russian arms trafficker Viktor Boutunee, arrested for twenty-five years in the United States. United.
