WNBA star Brittney Griner has been in a Russian prison since February. She was detained for bringing cannabis oil vape cartridges into the country. She was later charged and tried in a Russian court which found her guilty. she was sentenced to nine years.
Griner’s wife Cherelle spoke with CNN’s Abby Phillips after meeting with Biden. Cherelle told Phillips, “I don’t think they [Biden Administration] have quite figured out exactly what Russia wants in return for BG.”
Cherelle also shared some alarming news about Brittney. The pair have been exchanging letters during her imprisonment, her recent letters “have taken a dark turn. “She’s not well,” Cherelle told me. “She’s losing it,” Phillips shared.
Cherelle has been exchanging letters from BG during her imprisonment in Russia. But recently those letters have taken a dark turn. “She’s not well,” Cherelle told me. “She’s losing it.”
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) September 17, 2022
Cherelle also told Phillips about meeting with Biden sharing, “It allowed me to have confidence in what he’s doing right now.” She also shared they are prepared to do a swap for Brittney and Paul but Biden didn’t share any details.
Griner said Biden alluded to media coverage that reported the administration was prepared to swap at least on Russian imprisoned in the US for Griner and another detained American Paul Wheelan. But Biden did not get into specifics about the details of a swap.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) September 17, 2022
The Biden administration has been working to get Griner, as well as Paul Whelan, released. Whelan who is also being held in a Russian prison was convicted of espionage in 2020 and sentenced to serve 16 years.
The Biden Administration previously proposed a swap and in return got a ridiculous offer in return that went nowhere.
Biden also signed an executive order giving him more power to sanction individuals linked to wrongly imprisoning Americans abroad.
On Friday, Biden met with Whelan and Griner’s families. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, that Biden “appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most.”
Cherelle shared a picture she took with Biden on Instagram with the following message:
“I want to thank President Biden for yesterday’s meeting as well as the Administration for its efforts to secure my wife’s release. It was an honor to speak with him directly about the Brittney we know and love. I’ve felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her. I look forward to the day my wife is back home.”
“As my family and I continue on this journey, I’d like to thank the broad coalition of friends, leaders and supporters who continue to stand with us and advocate for Brittney’s swift and safe return. Let’s share a unified commitment to bringing all Americans home to their families and loved ones. Together We Are BG.”
It seems that nothing has been accomplished in getting Paul Whelan or Brittney Griner released from Russia and it doesn’t seem that Putin is interested in an “even” swap.
Biden has yet to get anything accomplished as of yet, at least publicly. Whelan has been detained since 2018 and Griner for the past seven months.
There doesn’t appear to be an end to their imprisonment anytime soon, but Biden wants to make sure we know he is working on it.
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