Russian diplomat knocks Biden administration 'hype' around Griner case
A top Russian diplomat on Thursday criticized the “hype” surrounding the high-profile detainment of WNBA star Brittney Griner.
The remarks to reporters before Griner’s court appearance on Thursday by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov follow news of a conversation between Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
“The American side’s attempts to foment hype and make noise in the public environment are understandable, but they don’t help to practically resolve issues,” Ryabkov told reporters at the courthouse, according to an account by The Washington Post.
Biden is facing intense pressure to get Griner home. But the administration has also appeared wary of getting into a prisoner exchange negotiation with the Kremlin for fear it would lead to more unjust prosecutions of Americans abroad.
Griner was arrested in Moscow on drug charges just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She’s accused of having vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces a possible 10-year sentence in Russia. Grinder pled guilty to the charges on Wednesday.
Ryabkov also Moscow is willing to cooperate with U.S. officials once Griner’s trial is complete, adding that “we have a long-established form for discussing these matters,” The Washington Post reported.
“Clearly the necessary judicial procedures have not been completed. Until then, there is no nominal, formal, procedural basis for any further steps at all,” Ryabkov told reporters.
Griner, who was named an honorary All-Star for 2022 WNBA All-Star Game, recently penned a letter to Biden over the Fourth of July holiday weekend urging him and other top officials to do anything they can to bring her home.
“[A]s I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” the 31-year-old basketball star wrote in her letter to Biden.
Vanessa Nygaard, the head coach of Griner’s WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, made remarks on Monday asking if Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James would be detained this long if he were in Griner’s position.
Source: TEST FEED1
