Biden speaks to Brittney Griner’s wife after WNBA star writes letter from Russian jail

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke Wednesday with Cherelle Griner, wife of WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, who has been held in a Russian prison since February on charges of bringing cannabis oil vape cartridges into the country . The phone call between Biden, Harris and Cherelle Griner came just days after the President received a handwritten letter from Brittney Griner asking him to intervene on her behalf and that of other Americans held by foreign governments.

“The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US citizens who are being unjustly detained or arrested in Russia and around the world being held hostage,” the White House said in a statement released by CNN. “He also read her a draft of the letter the President is sending to Brittney Griner today.”

The White House statement added that Biden “has offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney’s family and is committed to ensuring they receive every support possible while his administration pursues every opportunity to bring Brittney home.”

The White House also said Biden responded to the letter Griner sent from Russia last week, noting that the president received the letter on Monday, the Independence Day holiday. The statement added that Biden shared his response during their conversation with Cherelle Griner.

Basketball star arrested in February

Griner is a seven-time WNBA All-Star center who has played for Phoenix Mercury since the 2013 season, including the team for the 2014 league championship. She has also won two Olympic gold medals with the US women’s basketball team.

Griner has played seven seasons of pro basketball in Russia during the off-season of the WNBA, a practice common among the league’s players. She makes about $1 million a season playing in Russia, about four times the salary Griner makes playing for the WNBA. On January 29, Griner played her last game with her team UMMC Ekaterinburg before the Russian league went on hiatus for the FIBA ​​World Cup qualifying tournaments.

Russian Customs Service reported on March 5 that an American basketball player had been arrested after cannabis vape cartridges were discovered in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport. The date of the arrest was not given and the player’s name was not included in the report. Russian authorities also released a video that appeared to show the star center with customs officials at an airport security checkpoint.

As the Russian state news agency TASS later reported, the arrested player was Griner. Although the date of Griner’s arrest has not been released, media reported that she has been in custody since February 17. Their detention continues amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been widely condemned by the international community.

On Friday, Griner’s trial for possession on cannabis vape charges began in a courtroom outside Moscow. CNN reported that “prosecutors argue that Griner intended to import the drugs into Russian territory and pack the banned substances in a backpack and suitcase,” and that cannabis oil “is controlled and classified as a narcotic in Russia.” .

Griner sends letter from Russian prison to Biden

Last week, the WNBA Star Center sent a letter to Biden asking for his help to secure her release from prison.

“Sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any achievements, I fear that I may be here forever,” reads an excerpt from the Letters received from CNN.

“I realize that you are involved in so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American prisoners,” Griner continued humbly. “Please do everything you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore it. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for anything you can do at this moment to bring me home.”

Biden received the letter from Brittney Griner on the morning of July 4th. The White House released three excerpts from the letter, noting that the rest of the correspondence would remain confidential.

“On July 4th, our family typically honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father, who is a Vietnam War veteran,” Griner wrote. “It hurts to think how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something very different to me this year.”

Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Her trial is scheduled to continue on Friday.