WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with the wife of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner, who is on trial in Russia, assuring her that he is working to get Griner released as soon as possible, the House said. White.
Biden’s conversation with Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, followed Brittney Griner’s personal appeal to the president in a handwritten letter from the basketball player received by the White House on Monday. In the letter, Griner acknowledged her fears of spending eternity in detention in Russia and asked Biden not to “forget about me and the other American detainees.”
Griner has been detained for four months and is currently on trial in Russia, accused of possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.
“The President called Cherelle to assure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other American citizens who are unjustly detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world,” he said. the notice. the White House said in a statement. “He also read you a draft of the letter the president sent to Brittney Griner today.”
Biden offered his support for the family and pledged to make sure they receive “all possible assistance” as the administration pursues Brittney Griner’s release, the White House said.
Griner is in the midst of a trial in Russia that began last week after she was arrested on February 17 on cannabis oil possession charges while returning to play for her Russian team. The trial is scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in American courts, acquittals can be overturned.
