Comment President Biden on Wednesday told the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been held in Russia since February on drug charges, that he is working to secure the basketball player’s release “as soon as possible,” the White House said. During the conversation, Biden also read Cheryl Griner a draft of a letter he planned to send to Brittney Griner later Wednesday, according to the White House, which said Vice President Harris was also involved. “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 US citizens illegally held or held hostage in Russia and around the world. House said. In a letter delivered to Biden on Monday, 31-year-old Brittney Griner expressed fear of not knowing how long she will be held and urged the president to work to free her and other Americans held abroad. “As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any achievement, I fear I may be here forever,” he wrote. According to the White House, during the conversation on Wednesday, Biden “offered his support to Cheryl and Brittney’s family and pledged to ensure they receive all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring Britney at home.” “Today’s call follows recent calls by the national security adviser [Jake] Sullivan and Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken has been with Sherrell in recent weeks and over the past weekend,” the White House said, adding that Biden had directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with Brittney Griner’s family. Prominent Black Women Urge Biden To ‘Make A Deal’ For Brittney Griner Cherelle Griner released a statement on Instagram later Wednesday about her call with Biden and Harris. “I am grateful to both of them for their time with me and their commitment to bringing BG home,” she wrote. “While I will remain concerned and honest until she returns home, I hope to know that the President read my wife’s letter and took the time to respond. I know BG will be able to take comfort in knowing that she has not been forgotten.” Nearly 1,200 prominent black women have signed a letter to Biden and Harris asking the administration to secure the release of Brittney Griner from a Russian prison, an escalation of the pressure campaign by supporters of the WNBA star that comes as her trial unfolds in a court outside Moscow. The letter, which was delivered to the White House on Tuesday afternoon, was signed by a collection of black women leaders from the realms of sports, entertainment, labor, business, politics and faith. He argued that Griner is “enduring inhumane conditions” during her incarceration and said: “It is imperative, President Biden, that you address this ongoing human rights crisis and make a deal to bring Brittney home quickly and safely ». Griner, 31, was arrested in February at Sheremetyevo International Airport outside Moscow when customs officials allegedly discovered vaping cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. At the time, she was returning to the country to join UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian team she plays for during the WNBA offseason. In early May, the State Department declared Griner’s case a “wrongful detention,” an official designation that elevated it to the office of the U.S. presidential special envoy for hostage affairs. Her trial began on Friday and is expected to continue on Thursday. Griner has yet to speak. She is expected to be found guilty – an estimated 99 percent of Russian criminal trials result in guilty pleas – and could face up to 10 years in prison. Jake Lurim contributed to this report.
