The release of basketball player Brittney Griner, prisoner in Russia, “priority” for Joe Biden

The White House spokeswoman said on Tuesday that the release of basketball player Brittney Griner, detained in Russia since February for drug trafficking, was a “priority” for the president American. Freeing Brittney Griner, imprisoned in Russia since February for drug smuggling, is a “priority” for Joe Biden, assured his spokesperson on Tuesday, July 5, indicating, rather tersely, that the President had read the letter addressed by the American women’s basketball star. “The president has read the letter”, announced Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday, during her daily press briefing, without expanding on Joe Biden’s reaction to this missive with painful accents. “This subject is a priority for the President” and he “does everything he can,” said the White House spokesperson. The White House says President Biden has read Brittney Griner’s letter from Russia and that the issue of her and other US detainees is a “priority.” pic.twitter.com/DKomQcom6O— The Associated Press (@AP) July 5, 2022 The Phoenix Mercury player was arrested in February upon arriving at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport in possession, allegedly of vapes and of a cannabis-based liquid. The double Olympic gold medalist with the United States (2016-2020) came to Russia to play there during the American offseason, a common practice for basketball players who sometimes earn a better living in abroad than at home. “I’m terrified of the idea of ​​being here forever” She appeared on July 1 in court near Moscow for her trial, which was finally adjourned to Thursday July 7. The case is politically very sensitive, at a time when relations are at their worst between the United States and Russia, because of the invasion of Ukraine. “Sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, my family, my friends, my Olympic jersey or anything I’ve accomplished, I’m terrified of being here forever,” the two-time Olympic champion wrote. of basket ball. “I know very well that you have to face a lot of things, but please don’t forget me and the other American detainees”, implores the Phoenix Mercury player in this letter symbolically deposited at the White House Monday, July 4, United States Independence Day. regular contact with the family of the champion and in particular with his wife Cherelle Griner.”If it was LeBron James or Tom Brady, it would make headlines every day””We want to put an end to this practice, whether in Russia or another country, to detain Americans or foreign nationals unlawfully for political gain,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday. Brittney Griner’s teammates, who believe that the mobilization should be stronger, he assured that the Biden administration did not want to “do or say anything that could compromise” the chances of a release. “We understand of course the desire of families to draw as much attention as possible to their affairs,” assured Ned Price. Brittney Griner’s teammates lamented the lack of attention, particularly from the media. “The outrage is not strong enough,” responded Brianna Turner, on the sidelines of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. “If it was LeBron James [star de NBA, le championnat de basket masculin] or Tom Brady [légende du football américain]it would make the headlines every day”, criticized Sophie Cunningham, another player. With AFP