Brittney Griner sends message to Joe Biden over reporter detained in Russia
WNBA star Brittney Griner urged President Joe Biden to act fast and bring home Evan Gershkovich after the Wall Street Journal reporter was detained by Russia.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, was detained herself in February 2022 at an airport in Moscow when vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage. She was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison and her case became something of a political game between the US and Russia, whose relations deteriorated following Vladimir Putin ’s invasion of Ukraine.
With the help of the Biden administration, Griner returned to the United States in a prisoner swap before signing with the Phoenix Mercury ahead of the 2023 WNBA season. However, she took to Instagram on Saturday night to show her support for Gershkovich after he was taken into custody by Russian authorities and accused of spying last Thursday.
Griner and her wife Cherelle posted a statement, which read: “Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovich and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia. We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home.
“We are grateful for President Biden and his administration’s deep commitment to rescue Americans. We celebrate their recent successful efforts to bring home Jeff Woodke and Paul Rusesabagina. Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all.
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“That is why we call on all of our supporters to both celebrate the wins and encourage the administration to continue to use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home.”
Brittney Griner was detained for 10 months for illegal possession of cannabis at a Moscow airport (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Gershkovich was the first American journalist to be detained in Russia on an espionage charge since the Cold War began again. The Wall Street Journal has denied the spying charge and demanded the immediate release of the journalist.
On Friday, President Biden told Russia to release Gershkovich, while Vice President Kamala Harris admitted she was ‘deeply concerned’ about the arrest. Tensions are ultimately rising between the US and Russia, and officials remain working to gain access to Gershkovich.
After returning to the US, Griner - an eight-time WNBA All-Star - rejoined the Mercury as she has played for the team each year of her career after the franchise selected her first overall in the 2013 draft. The 32-year-old helped lead Phoenix to glory when the franchise won the 2014 WNBA title.
The Mercury start their 2023 campaign on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks on 19 May before their first home game of the season against Chicago Sky two days later.
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