A day after Russia revealed it had detained seven-time WNBA star Britney Greener on drug charges, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was asked what the Biden administration plans to do to help her.
Blinken, speaking Sunday from Moldova, did not want to comment specifically on Griner, citing “confidentiality concerns.” Responding generally, Blinken told reporters: “Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we are, of course, ready to provide any possible assistance, including in Russia.”
Griner was arrested at an airport near Moscow last month after Russian authorities searched her luggage and allegedly found hash oil e-cigarette cartridges. On Saturday, the Federal Customs Service of Russia issued a statement on the initiation of a criminal case on the fact of large-scale transportation of drugs, for which in Russia you can get up to 10 years in prison.
The timing of Griner’s detention raises concerns that her fate could be entangled in a confrontation between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine. A former senior Pentagon official told Yahoo Sports on Saturday that she was concerned that Russia could view Griner as a “high-profile hostage” who could serve as a valuable bargaining chip.
It is unclear how long Griner has been in detention, as Russian authorities did not specify when she was detained in February. At the time of her arrest, Griner was flying from New York to Russia, where the two-time Olympian plays for European basketball team UMMC Yekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason.
In an Instagram post Saturday night, Griner’s wife thanked “everyone who reached out” with prayers and support. Sherel Griner said she loves Britney “with all her heart” and called it “one of the weakest moments” of her life.
“I understand that many of you have loved BG over the years, have concerns and want details,” Sherel Griner wrote. “Please respect our privacy as we continue to work to get my wife home safely.”
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 10: Phoenix Mercury #42 Brittney Griner prepares for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at the Footprint Center on October 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by uploading and/or using this photo, User agrees to be bound by the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Mattin/Getty Images)
Griner is not the first US citizen Russia has held in custody due to escalating tensions between the two countries. Over the past few years, two former US Marines have been detained in separate incidents: Trevor Reid, who allegedly got into an altercation with Russian police; and Paul Whelan, accused of espionage.
Asked about Griner on Sunday, Blinken mentioned Whelan and Reed and called them “unfairly detained.” Blinken concluded: “We have an embassy team dealing with other Americans detained in Russia. We are doing everything we can to ensure that their rights are upheld and enforced.”
LGBTQ groups have expressed particular concern about Greener’s treatment, given that she is an open lesbian detained in a country that has a history of restricting LGBTQ rights. Athlete Ally is an organization that advocates for LGBTQ rights in sports. tweeted on sunday“Thinking of countless times @britneygriner spoke out for LGBTQ+ equality. We all need to speak up for her now and call for her to be safely released home to her family.”