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Biden speaks with wife of basketball star detained in Russia | Russia-Ukraine war News


The US president said he was working to secure Brittney Griner’s release because she was “illegally detained” in Russia.

US President Joe Biden talks to basketball star’s wife Brittney GrinerThe White House said the man was being held in Russia and assured her he was working to get Griner free as soon as possible.

During Biden’s conversation with Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, on Wednesday, he offered to support the family and pledged to ensure that they receive “all possible support” while the administration pursues it. steps to win her release, according to a White House statement.

“The President phoned Cherelle to reassure her that he was working to ensure the release of Brittney as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US citizens being held or held hostage. illegal in Russia and around the world,” according to the statement. “He also read her a draft of the letter the President sent to Brittney Griner today.”

Growth comes to Griner, a National Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) all stars and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained for four months and is currently testing in Russiaaccused of possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

She test begins last week after she was arrested on February 17 while returning to play for her Russia team. Her next hearing will be on Thursday. If convicted of drug charges, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

The development also follows Griner’s personal appeal sent to the president in a handwritten letter received by the White House on Monday. In the letter, Griner acknowledged her fear that she would be detained forever in Russia and asked Biden to “don’t forget about me and other Americans detained.”

Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to US President Joe Biden saying she feared she would be detained forever in Russia and asked Biden to bring her home. [File: Brian Snyder/Reuters]

Biden has been on the call of Vice President Kamala Harris. He directed his national security team to stay in regular contact with Griner’s family and with the families of other Americans detained abroad, the White House said, adding that Griner was being held in “extraordinary circumstances.” unacceptable”.

Griner’s case drawn increase attention in the midst of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Western powers imposed sanctions on Moscow in response to the invasion of Ukraine, and Russian-American Relations reached their worst point since the Cold War.

During her first hearing on Friday, Griner was told she had been charged with knowingly importing narcotics. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Griner could appeal his sentence or seek clemency once the ruling is delivered.

“The court must first issue its ruling, but no one has prevented Brittney Griner from using the appeal procedure,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexei Zaitsev said at a news conference.

“Attempts to present the case as if the American woman was illegally detained did not withstand criticism,” added Zaitsev.

Less than 1% of defendants in criminal cases in Russia are acquitted, and unlike in US courts, acquittals can be overturned.





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