Brittney Griner meets with US Embassy official in Russia, first since February
Basketball star was arrested five months ago at Moscow airport
U.S. coach reveals the moment she saw Griner in the locker room
Brittney Griner met with a U.S. Embassy official in Russia on Wednesday, the first time she has been able to speak to an American official since she was arrested at a Moscow airport five months ago.
Griner's agent, Lindsay Colas, confirmed the meeting to ESPN and said that the basketball star was "in good spirits" and "doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
The meeting comes amid growing concern about Griner's well-being. Her family has said that she has lost a significant amount of weight and is struggling to get enough food and water.
Griner was arrested in February after customs officials at the Sheremetyevo International Airport allegedly found cannabis oil in her luggage. She has been charged with drug smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
U.S. officials have denounced Griner's arrest as politically motivated and have called for her immediate release.
WEB Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said she shared a moment with Griner in the locker room after Thursday's game
WEB Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said she shared a moment with Griner in the locker room after Thursday's game. Reeve said that Griner was "in good spirits" and that she was "doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
Reeve said that she and Griner talked about the challenges that Griner has faced since she was arrested, but that Griner remained positive and upbeat.
"She's a strong woman," Reeve said. "She's going through a lot, but she's handling it with grace and dignity."
Despite Biden's attempts to link Griner's case to that of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine arrested on espionage charges in 2018, the two cases remain separate
Despite Biden's attempts to link Griner's case to that of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine arrested on espionage charges in 2018, the two cases remain separate.
Whelan was convicted of espionage in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The U.S. government has maintained that Whelan is innocent and that he was arrested on false charges.
However, Russian officials have said that Whelan was caught red-handed and that he was attempting to obtain classified information.
The Biden administration has been negotiating with Russian officials for the release of both Griner and Whelan, but so far, no agreement has been reached.
Conclusion
Brittney Griner's arrest and detention in Russia has been a major story in the news for months. Her case has raised concerns about the safety of Americans traveling to Russia and the fairness of the Russian judicial system.
The Biden administration has been working to secure Griner's release, but so far, no agreement has been reached. It is unclear when Griner will be released, but her case is a reminder of the challenges that Americans can face when they travel to Russia.
Comments