The American basketball player has been imprisoned in Russia since last February.
Freeing Brittney Griner, imprisoned in Russia since February, is a “priorityfor Joe Biden, assured his spokesperson on Tuesday, indicating, rather laconically, that the president had read the poignant letter sent by the American women’s basketball star.
“The president read the letter“, said Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday during her daily press briefing, without expanding on Joe Biden’s reaction to this missive with painful overtones. “This subject is a priority for the President” and he “does everything he can“, said the spokesperson for the White House.
Arrested at Moscow airport in February, Brittney Griner appeared Friday in a court near Moscow for her trial, finally adjourned to Thursday July 7. The case is politically explosive, 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 have accomplished, I am terrified of be here forever“Wrote the two-time Olympic basketball champion.
“I know very well that you have to deal with a lot of things, but please don’t forget about me and the other American prisoners.“implores the Phoenix Mercury player in this letter symbolically deposited at the White House on Monday, the day of the Independence Day of the United States.
Karine Jean-Pierre, however, did not give more concrete indications on what the American administration is doing, only emphasizing that several senior officials were in regular contact with the family of the champion and in particular with his wife Cherelle Griner.
“We want to end this practice, whether in Russia or any other country, of unlawfully detaining Americans or foreign nationals for political gain.State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday.
Asked about criticism from Brittney Griner’s family or teammates, who believe that the mobilization should be stronger, he assured that the Biden administration does not want “do or say anything that could compromise» the chances of a release.
“Of course, we understand the desire of families to draw as much attention to their belongings as possible.“, assured Ned Price. Brittney Griner’s teammates lamented the lack of attention, especially from the media. “The outrage is not strong enough, that’s all, the outrage is not strong enoughsaid Brianna Turner on the sidelines of a game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“If it was LeBron James (note: star of the NBA, the men’s basketball championship) or Tom Brady (American football legend) it would make headlines every day“, Criticized Sophie Cunningham, another player.
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