Topline
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner that the government is working hard to gain her release from Russia, according to CNN and NBC, one day after Griner’s detention in Russia was extended another month.
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner leaves a courtroom after a hearing, in … [+]
Key Facts
A senior State Department official told CNN and NBC Blinken told Cherelle Griner on Saturday that the basketball star’s case has his full attention and the department is working on it day and night.
Griner’s detention in Russia was extended on Friday by 30 days, and her lawyer Alexander Boikov said the extension was shorter than expected, which could indicate that her case could soon go to trial.
Over the weekend, the WNBA Players’ Association backed a petition calling on the White House and the Biden Administration to “do whatever is necessary to return Brittney home quickly and safely,” which as of Tuesday morning had garnered over 136,000 signatures.
Cherelle Griner has joined in on the “We Are BG” social media campaign, posting photos and videos of her wife on game days and reposting calls from supporters for her safe return to the U.S.
Forbes has reached out to the State Department for comment.
Key Background
Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested in Russia in February at an airport in Moscow, when vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were allegedly discovered in her luggage. If convicted she faces up to 10 years in prison. The U.S. was unable to gain consular access to her until March, when she was found in “good condition.” Two weeks ago, the U.S. reclassified Griner’s case and considered her to be “wrongfully detained” in Russia, and a spokesperson for the State Department told Forbes Special Presidential Envoy Roger Carstens is leading the team pushing for her release.
Tangent
The Phoenix Suns are one of the only NBA teams who have pushed for Griner’s release. During their playoff run, the team put her initials and her number on their court. The initiative was started by the WNBA when their season began earlier this month. All 12 courts will display her initials and number this season as players rally for her return home.
Further Reading
Brittney Griner’s Russian Detention Reportedly Extended By 30 Days (Forbes)
Brittney Griner Reportedly Reclassified As ‘Wrongfully Detained’ In Russia By U.S. (Forbes)
State Department: Brittney Griner Remains ‘Top Priority’ As Russia Releases Trevor Reed (Forbes)
WNBA Players, Commissioner Call For Brittney Griner’s Return From Russia (Forbes)
Brittney Griner In ‘Good Condition,’ U.S. Reports After Finally Visiting With WNBA Star (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/05/17/secretary-of-state-reportedly-told-brittney-griners-wife-her-release-has-his-full-attention/