Brittney Griner.Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty
Brittney Grineris advocating for the release ofWall Street Journalreporter Evan Gershkovitch, who has beenarrested for alleged spyingin Russia.
In an Instagram statement made in conjunction with her wife Cherelle Griner, the WNBA star — who wasfreed from Russia in a prisoner exchange last year— encouraged the Biden administration to “bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home.”
“Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan’s detainment in Russia,” the Griners wrote. “We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home.”
“We are grateful for President Biden and his administration’s deep commitment to rescue Americans. We celebrate their recent successful efforts to bring home Jeff Woodke and Paul Rusesabagina,” the couple continued. “Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all.”
Gershkovitch was detained while reporting in Yekaterinburg on March 30. Soon after the Biden administration described the arrest as “ridiculous” and called for his release.
On Twitter, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken added that the authorities were “deeply concerned” over the arrest and encouraged U.S. citizens living or traveling in Russia to “leave immediately.”
Gershkovitch, 31, is a U.S. citizen who has lived in Moscow for several years and reportedly covered news in Russia as part of theWSJ’s Moscow bureau.
Cherelle Griner (left) and Brittney Griner (right) appear at the NAACP Image Awards.Leon Bennett/Getty for BET
“We condemn the detention of Mr. Gershkovich in the strongest terms,” Jean-Pierre added.
Grinerspent nearly ten months in a Russian prisonafter being detained for allegedly smuggling “narcotic drugs” into the country in February 2022. Shereturned to the U.S.on Dec. 9 and hasrejoined the Phoenix Mercuryunder a one-year,$165,100 contract, per ESPN.
At the close of the 2021 season, she averaged 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in her career. She also voiced her intention to return to the team inher first statementafter her release.
Brittney Griner.Phoenix Mercury Instagram
“I also want to make one thing very clear,” Griner wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “I intend to play basketballfor the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season.”
“In doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”
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The Grinershave been out and about sinceBrittney’s arrival home, having enjoyed a daytime date at the Indian Wells Masters Tournament last month. The duo also shared sweet photos from their weekend in the California desert to their Instagram stories.
source: people.com
