Brittney Griner’s return from Russia remains ‘top priority’: US State Department

Brittney Griner’s return from Russia remains ‘top priority’: US State Department

Brittney Griner’s return from Russia remains ‘top priority’: US State Department
Advertisement

The return of Brittney Griner to the United States remains a “high priority,” according to a US State Department spokeswoman, following the release of Trevor Reed in a prisoner swap with Russia.

Griner, a seven-time All-Star with the Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold champion with Team USA, was detained in February at Sheremetyevo International Airport, when Russian investigators said they found hashish oil-laced vape cartridges in her luggage.

According to ESPN, the infraction could result in a prison sentence of up to ten years.

Griner’s incarceration has been prolonged to May 19, according to Russian official media in March.

“We are working very closely with her team. Her case is a top priority for us,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN on Wednesday morning.

Advertisement

“I can tell you that with the utmost certainty. We’re in regular contact with her team, we regularly are engaging through our embassy in Moscow with their counterparts in order to see to it that she’s treated fairly, to see to it that we have the consistent access to her that the Russians are required under the Vienna convention to provide.

“We will continue to pay very close attention to this case, to seek its resolution as we seek the release of Paul Whelan.”

According to The Washington Post, Whelan, an American resident and former security professional, has been detained in Russia since his detention at a Moscow hotel in December 2018.

Reed, a Marine veteran who was imprisoned for allegedly jeopardising the “life and health” of Russian police officers in an incident, was traded for a Russian drug trafficker serving a long jail sentence in the United States on Wednesday. According to CNN, Reed has lately been diagnosed with tuberculosis, and his parents have advocated for a prisoner swap.

Griner was arrested while travelling to Russia for the WNBA offseason, where she plays for Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg. Since then, there have been little updates on the 31-year-old, prompting other WNBA players to speak out about her plight.

Price indicated during a March 23 press conference that US State Department officials were granted access to meet with Griner in mid-March. While he couldn’t go into detail about the WNBA player’s condition, he did say that the official who met with her indicated she was in “excellent shape.”

Advertisement

Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA commissioner, said earlier this month that the league was working in the background to assure Griner’s safe return from Russia.

“We continue to be working diligently on bringing Brittney Griner home,” Engelbert said. “This is an unimaginable situation for (Griner) to be in. … Certainly we’re trying everything that we can, every angle, working through with her legal representation, her agent, elected leaders, the administration, just everybody in our ecosystem to try and find ways to get her home safely and as quickly as we can.”

According to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, the Mercury will receive “roster relief” from the league because Griner’s health is still unknown.

For the 2022 season, Griner will be paid in full, Rowe further added.

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com

Advertisement
Advertisement
Read More News On

Catch all the Sports News, Breaking News Event and Latest News Updates on The BOL News


Download The BOL News App to get the Daily News Update & Follow us on Google News.


End of Article
Advertisement
In The Spotlight Popular from Pakistan Entertainment
Advertisement

Next Story