The wife of American women's basketball star Brittany Griner is seeking release from a Russian prison where she has been detained for at least three weeks after being arrested at a Moscow airport for possessing a vape pen filled with hash oil. has been taken.
Cherrell Griner posted on Instagram Saturday night, 'I love my wife with all my heart, so this message comes during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. 'I understand that many of you have loved BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please respect our privacy as we work to get my wife home safely.
Cherrell thanked fans of the two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time WNBA All-Star for their encouragement, saying: 'Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.'
Griner, 31, was detained last month while playing for his Russian basketball team during the WNBA off-season, but there is no confirmation when he was arrested. Her last communication was on February 5th when she posted a photo on Instagram of herself and her Phoenix Mercury teammates.
Now Russia can use Griner as leverage as he faces up to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
"If we want him out of jail, Russia has to give certain conditions," Evelyn Farkas, former US deputy assistant defense secretary for Russia and Ukraine, told Yahoo Sports. 'It could be a prisoner swap. They could also use it as an implicit threat or blackmail to get us to do or not do something. Either way, they find it useful.'
Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Griner's hometown of Houston and says she knew the star back when she played high school ball, said during a press conference on Saturday that she won the WNBA Have spoken with the State Department in an effort to release Starr.
"We know there were some issues related to wipe cartridges and other stuff, but I'm very clear," Lee said. 'Brittany Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia ... and I will demand her release.'
'I don't want to disregard a sovereign nation, but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations' full service to this world and whoever is killing and attacking and destroying Ukraine, their neighboring country - He who does not bother them has no right to hold Ms. Griner. Period,' Lee said. 'If there are challenges and concerns about his actions, it should be dealt with diplomatically and he should be released.'
The Congresswoman cited concerns for Griner's safety, noting that Russian prisons are 'no place for him', especially in times of war. His concern comes as many have expressed fear for Griner's safety while in custody in Russia - where President Vladimir Putin has enacted strict anti-gay laws.
"I believe at this point in time, in the midst of war, how dangerous Moscow is, how dangerous Moscow is in prisons... it's no place for that," Lee said. “I would call on Russia at this time to really stop harassing American citizens, but more importantly, to release those who are there and to have an upper hand or hand in the assassination and terrorist actions against Ukrainians.” Don't claim a sense of character.'
'Please let Ms Griner go safely. Allow his legal representation to handle his affairs and ask the United States to pay special attention to all those currently detained in Russia.'
In a statement Saturday to DailyMail.com, Griner's agent Lindsay Kagawa Kolas did not dispute reports of her client's detention.
"We are aware of the situation in Russia with Brittany Griner and are in close contact with Russia, her family, her teams and her legal representation in the WNBA and the NBA," Kolas said. “Since this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of his case, but can confirm that as we work to bring him home, his mental and physical Health remains our primary concern.
