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President Biden on Wednesday told the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February on drug charges, that she is working to secure the release of the basketball player “as soon as possible.” , said the White House.
During the call, Biden also read to Cherelle Griner a draft of a letter she planned to send to Brittney Griner later Wednesday, according to the White House, which said Vice President Harris was also involved.
“The president called on Cherelle to assure her that she is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. citizens who are unjustly detained or held hostage to Russia and around the world, “White said. said House.
In a letter to Biden on Monday, Brittney Griner, 31, expressed fear of not knowing how long she would be detained and urged the president to work for her release and that of other Americans detained in the United States. foreign.
“While I am sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, my family, friends, the Olympic shirt or any success, I am terrified of being able to be here forever,” she wrote. .
According to the White House, during Wednesday’s call, Biden “offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and pledged to ensure that they were provided with all possible assistance while his administration seeks all avenues. to take Brittney home. “
“Today ‘s call follows recent calls from the national security adviser [Jake] Sullivan and Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken has been with Cherelle for the past few weeks and last weekend, “the White House said, adding that Biden had ordered his national security team to keep in regular contact with Brittney Griner’s family.
Prominent black women urge Biden to “make a deal” for Brittney Griner
Cherelle Griner posted a statement on Instagram later Wednesday about her call with Biden and Harris.
“I am grateful to both of you for the time you spent with me and for the commitment you expressed to bring BG home,” he wrote. “While I will remain concerned and open until I return 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 find solace in knowing that has not been forgotten “.
Nearly 1,200 prominent black women signed a letter to Biden and Harris urging the administration to secure the release of Brittney Griner from a Russian prison, an escalation of a campaign of pressure by WNBA star supporters which comes as his trial progresses 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 in the fields of sports, entertainment, work, business, politics and faith. . He stated that Griner “is enduring inhumane conditions” during his imprisonment and said: “It is imperative, President Biden, that you address this ongoing human rights crisis and make an agreement to bring Brittney home quickly and safely.” .
Griner, 31, was arrested in February at Sheremetyevo International Airport on the outskirts of Moscow, when customs officials allegedly discovered vaporizer cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. At the time, he was returning to the country to join UMCC Ekaterinburg, the Russian team for which he played during the low season of the WNBA. In early May, the State Department declared Griner’s case an “illegal detention,” an official classification that elevated him to the office of the U.S. presidential envoy for U.S. affairs. hostages.
His trial began Friday and is expected to continue Thursday; Griner has yet to file a statement. She is expected to plead guilty – an estimated 99 percent of Russian criminal trials end in guilty verdicts – and could face up to 10 years in prison.
Jake Lourim contributed to this report.