Phoenix (CNN)WNBA star wife Cherel GrinerBrittney GrinerCNN on Thursday He wants US officials to do whatever they have to do to bring home the basketball legend he told her-and she needs to see them do more.
In the only interview she was doing on the eve of her wife's trial in Russia, Cherelle Griner sat in Phoenix Mercury's locker room and asked for more action. ..
"It's really, really difficult. This isn't a situation where rhetoric is in line with action," she said. "Unfortunately, I need to push people to make sure that what they are saying to me is in line with their actions, so I can't give up, so balance It was the hardest to take. More than 130 days have passed and the BG hasn't returned yet. "
31-year-old Brittney Griner, who played in Russia during the WNBA's off-season, said in February. He was arrested at an airport in Moscow on the 17th. Russian officials claimed she had hemp oil in her baggage and accused her of smuggling large amounts of narcotic material. This is a crime that can be punished with up to 10 years in prison.
Cherelle Griner told CNN that he would like to hear more from US officials and reassure them. "She said.
Now, Cherel said what the US government was saying was not in line with their actions. About the day she was supposed to talk to her wife. Mentioned, Britney called the Moscow embassy 11 times, but had nothing to do with Sherel. The State Department accused the mistake of personnel restrictions imposed by Russian authorities.
"You don't have my trust at that point until you see the behavior that is in the best interests of BG," Cherel said.
She also met President Joe Biden "absolutely" and stated that he wanted to humanize Britney to him so that he could "see BG as he sees BG."
"I want to tell me what everyone cares about, but I want to tell me what he cares about," she added.
The State Department states that it is "actively involved"
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Sherel this week, Sullivan told reporters Tuesday. Air Force One.
"Britney Griner was unfairly detained and unfairly detained, making it clear as an official decision of the US Government. Second, the Russian government released her and released her. You should return it and reunite with your family. Return to a safe and healthy home, "said Sullivan.
Sullivan did not provide details of U.S. efforts to resolve Grinner's case because of "delicate issues," but the Biden administration was "actively involved." Insisted.
"Don't be quiet," another detained American family told her
Sherel can't talk to Britney But the couple write to each other. According to Sherel, Britney recently reassured her that her detention time hadn't upset her after Britney's court photos disappointed her wife. Brittany wrote that she was exhausted and she was embarrassed to appear in court with about 100 media members and a camera, Cherel said.
A photo of Agence France-Presse's Kirill Kudryavsteff shows that Britney was handcuffed and arrived in court surrounded by security guards in black vests during a preliminary hearing on Monday. ..
Sherel, a 6-foot-9 wife, has a five-hour round-trip drive in court, and when she moves, she says, "She is in a very, very, very small cage. ". "Her long legs are bent on her knees.
Sherel said she also met with families of people who were or remained detained in Russia and other countries. He said they were affectionate, genuine and broken people. "And they first said,'Don't be quiet about this. Don't let them forget about your loved one.'" That was it, "she said.
It surprised her mind when she learned that it was a three- or four-year test for some of those families, she added.
"I pray to God. Less than three years have passed and BG is still illegally detained in Russia, so my heart was broken when I heard it." She said.
Trade if it is needed, wife
At first, it's hard to imagine her wife being able to use it as a pawn, Cherel tells CNN. Told. But she found that her answer to her question of whether it was possible was "yes", she said. She said she thinks Russia can get something in return for letting go of Britney
"And at this point I want them. What you want. Please ask me anything, "she said with a laugh.
She said she didn't listen too much about what measures were being considered to bring her wife back to her home.
But if you need a prisoner exchange, "Yes, please."
Mercury coach wants Greener to be Washington's priority
Phoenix Mercury head coach at Wednesday's pre-match news conference Vanessa Nigard, who is, said: More turmoil from the Biden administration-they are supporting us and know that this is a priority. Let's give it priority. We know that our Phoenix community feels deep. Wherever I go to Phoenix, everyone BGs me. We just need the government and all those in power to really promote (release) it.
Nygaard also said the team will hold a rally for Greener next week.
Greener is one of the best basketball players in the world. The center has won two Olympic gold medals and one WNBA title. She is a 6-time WNBA All-Star and has participated 3 times as a starter. This season, she will be honored as a starter for the All-Star Game scheduled for July 10.
Last season she averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.