Brittney Griner isn’t doing very well, according to her wife, Cherelle.
Griner has been in a Russian prison since February when she was arrested at Moscow airport for carrying Cannabis oil in her bag. The WNBA star was sentenced to 9 years in prison when she was convicted of drug smuggling.
Earlier this week, Cherelle Griner met with President Biden about the ongoing negotiations about getting Brittney home.
Cherelle Griner told me she had a good meeting with Biden. He gave her more confidence in the admin’s efforts to bring Brittney Griner home. “It allowed me to have confidence in what he’s doing right now."
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) September 17, 2022
Cherelle’s sense after meeting with Biden was that negotiations have been very complex but that Biden is determined to get a deal done:
"I don’t think they have quite figured out exactly what Russia wants in return for BG.”
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) September 17, 2022
Cherelle revealed that Brittney’s recent letters had taken a dark turn as uncertainty over her release continue to drag on.
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 went on to release a statement following her meeting with President Biden.
“I’ve felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her,” she said. “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.”
We’ll have to wait and see if Cherelle’s plea sparks some urgency from the Biden administration to get Brittney back home.
