Brittney Griner’s spouse Cherelle holds WNBA star ‘hostage’ in Russia

Since the Phoenix Mercury player’s arrest, Cherelle has been in touch with her wife herself via letters and emails and has met with the President Joe Bidenwho said in a statement following her sentencing: “Russia is wrong to hold Brittney. It is unacceptable and I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates.”

Later in August, Brittney’s attorneys appealed her case. A hearing was scheduled for October 25, which the Biden government says it is following.

“We are aware of Russia’s announcement that Brittney Griner will be forced to submit to another sham trial,” the White House press secretary said Karine Jean Pierre said during a press conference on Oct. 4. “She should be released immediately. As we’ve said many times before, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan were unjustly arrested by Russian authorities.”

In June, the US government proposed that Russia release Brittney and Whelan, a former Marine serving 16 years in prison on a 2020 espionage conviction, in exchange for a jailed Russian arms dealer Victor fight, according to several reports. But on October 4, Jean-Pierre told reporters, “We need a serious counter-offer.”