And, let's say, you're being tortured and go to prison doctors to document the fact that you've been tortured, obviously, they do not see anything and are not witnesses of your torture. I justthe minute I hung up, I think I cried for about 2, 3 days straight. She said in a phone interview that Ms. Griners two cellmates at the time were women who spoke English and were also in prison on drug-related charges. Officials in Washington said that they had not given up on negotiations for Ms. Griner and other Americans that the U.S. authorities have designated as wrongfully detained, including Paul Whelan, who has been in a Russian prison for almost four years on espionage charges that the former U.S. ambassador to Moscow derided as bogus., Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the return of Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan had his full attention and that the State Department was focused on it every single day.. Her lawyers claimed it had been prescribed for medical purposes, and the State Department considered her detention wrongful.. We can survive this," Cherelle told CBS Mornings. The NFL loves quarterback whisperers. Why doesnt it love Jim Caldwell? My brain cant even fathom it, she said. She said that Ms. Griner had been reading a translation of Dostoyevskys novel Demons, a political tragedy considered one of the authors most important works. Now, the 31-year-olds wife has spoken publicly for the first time about the verdict. We pray for Paul and for all wrongfully detained Americans swift and safe return.. exchange her for high-profile Russian citizens, Russia portrayed him as an innocent victim of American injustice. Official shares details on Brittney Griner's flight back to the U.S. Outpouring of support for WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, Phoenix Suns 'grateful' for Brittney Griner's return to United States, A Message to President Biden: No Prisoner Swap Needed to FREE Leonard Peltier, SNL Breaks Down Why Brittney Griner Deal Was Actually a Great Trade. Brittney Griner's experience at a Russian penal colony is looking increasingly bleak. Supporters worried that because she is considered a leader in Black and LGBTQ communities, she would become target of abuse while detained in Russia, where the government has a record of hostility toward sexual minorities. Together We Are BG., A post shared by ???????? Until then, Cherelle is praying that the U.S. will strike a deal with Russia to conduct a prisoner swap before the hearing. Like, what happens [next]? So I want people to see that. 08/04/2022 8:34 AM Griner has finally received her day in court and was predictably found guilty of the charges. The center has also hosted several veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars who sustained serious injuries requiring extended treatment, including those who sustained burns, amputations, and other life-threatening and life-altering injuries. black entertainment news, parenting tips and beauty secrets that are specifically for black women. Ukraine live briefing: E.U. We need to see a serious counteroffer, she said. Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout crossed paths on a UAE airport tarmac in the hours after the United States and Russia agreed to a prisoner swap and the moment was all captured on video. She described an instance in which the needle pierced her finger, leaving her "covered in blood" but still being forced to sew uniforms for police officers and Russian military officials. American basketball player Brittney Griner is in U.S. custody after being released from a Russian prison as part of a prisoner swap.. President Joe Biden confirmed the news of the WNBA stars freedom in brief remarks Thursday morning. A White House official said last week that the administration was trying every available channel with Moscow, including the one through which U.S. officials arranged a prisoner swap in April to secure the release of Trevor Reed, a former Marine who had been serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia. Everything is possible, he said. ?. Email Or Call (888) 847-9869 Old news is old news! Perhaps the verdict will somehow be changed and, perhaps, the sentence will be reduced, because the decision taken by the first court is very different from judicial practice, he said. is Brittney Griner, I do think this got really complicated really quickly," Cherelle told King. "A lot of prisoners just cannot stand it and some of them decide to commit suicide," she said, adding that "medical help is practically nonexistent. ' Cherelle agreed. North Korea Wants Dollars. She suffers a lot without her family because she hasnt seen them for so long and its very difficult to talk to them in any way, Mr. Boykov said, adding that it had been very difficult to organize phone calls with Ms. Griners wife, Cherelle, and that she had been unable to speak to her parents or siblings since her detention, as far as he was aware. Shes safe, said Biden, who was flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Griners wife Cherelle Griner. He just mentioned this work isnot easy and it has not been." If Ms. Griners appeal is unsuccessful and she is not released, she could be sent back to the penal colony where she is currently detained, albeit to a different section, or to one of a number of prison camps for women where she may be expected to spend hours a day sewing or doing other forms of labor for meager compensation. The facility, on Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, is staffed by more than 8,000 personnel, and the military claims to treat more than 4,000 people at Brooke each day. Are any other exchanges possible? Nicknamed the merchant of death, Bout is a notorious arms dealer and has been in U.S. custody since his arrest in Thailand in 2008. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert, meanwhile, said the concern over Griners imprisonment had turned into a collective wave of joy and relief. But she also turned the focus back to other Americans detained abroad. She said Brittney is afraid. I dont think Im in any way important to Russian politics, he said, adding that characterizing the exchange as a weak or strong move from either government was childish., If there was a deal, it means that some common ground was found that could satisfy the two parties, he said. Now, she's in the position where she could be moved to a labor camp, and my brain can't even fathom it," Cherelle said. And so to me, as much as everybodys telling me a different definition of what BG is, it feels to me as if shes a hostage.. Now, the 31-year-olds wifehas spoken publicly for the first time about the verdict. But I will gladly speak on herbehalf to say B.G. Brittney Griner's experience at a Russian penal colony is looking increasingly bleak. The latest: WNBA star Brittney Griner landed in the United States around 5:30 a.m. Griner pled guilty to bringing less than 1 gram of cannabis oil into Russia,and claimed that she did so inadvertently, asking the court for leniency. ?????? Tolokonnikova went on to describe "slave-like conditions" within the 820-woman capacity facility in Yavas. B.G. 2022 Vibe Media, LLC. It is also a common way station for Americans returning from conditions like those experienced by Griner, before resuming their normal lives. MOSCOW Brittney Griner, the American basketball star facing nine years in prison in Russia, is increasingly anxious about her chances of being freed in a prisoner swap and struggling emotionally, one of her lawyers has said. But that sentiment changed after their second phone call. After she visited in April, Ms. Kalugina said, she reported to the commission that Ms. Griner needed a longer bed and she was able to lodge a request with the authorities. Ethan Miller/Getty Images Ms. Griner is allowed outside once a day, Mr. Boykov said, during which she walks for an hour in a small courtyard at a penal colony outside Moscow where she was detained after a Russian court convicted her on drug possession charges. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters this month that the United States had not received a serious response to that offer. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Cherelle Griner is thankful that after months of captivity, her wife Brittney Griner is finally on her way home. But while Griners release was being celebrated, others noted the unevenness of the prisoner swap. Putin admits attacks on civilian infrastructure, asking: Who started it?. Prisoners are expected to perform manual labor including tasks like cooking, cleaning, and sewing for "up to 17 hours a day" without breaks or days off. To know that our government and the foreign government is sitting down and negotiating for her release? calls Russias invasion a brutal wake-up for Putin says Ukraine war may be long process but cites serious gains, Russias using dark tankers to evade Western oil sanctions, War has tamed Ukraines oligarchs, creating space for democratic change, Russian disinformation is demonizing Ukrainian refugees, As Finland and Sweden wait to join NATO, Turkey extracts concessions. U.S. officials on the ground described her as being in good spirits and said she was grateful to be home. as well, she added. She needs time to heal, said Foley, who met Griners wife and family during their collective effort to bring Americans detained abroad home. In February, the 31-year-old WNBA star was arrested in Russia after airport customs officers found vape cartridges containing .7 grams of cannabis oil in her luggage. Courtney said he does not know the details of the Biden administrations offers, but the Russians have long fought to bring Bout home because of the government secrets he probably possesses. Brittney Griner Turns 32 Years Old in Russian Prison. being home. "She's 32 years old. Its unclear why Moscow officials were so eager to bring him home. Griner was released Thursday in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the merchant of death. Bout had served less than half of a 25-year sentence in Illinois for conspiring to kill American nationals and selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgent group. Skip to main content Got A Tip? Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, speaks during a rally to support the release of detained American professional athlete Brittney Griner at Footprint Center on July 06, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Individuals like Griner are expected to meet output quotas that are often unreasonably high. During the Soviet years, he said, Kremlin leaders worried about the impact the prolonged detention of Westerners would have on their image. In an interview with CBS Mornings last week, Cherelle Griner said that she had been able to speak to her wife only twice since February, adding that the most recent conversation had been so disturbing that she cried for two or three days afterward. On Monday (Oct. 3), the AP revealed Griners appeal hearing date is scheduled for Oct. 25, which the White House said is another sham judicial proceeding, according to King in the CBS interview. But theres another party in this situation, and we also are dealing with the need for Russia to have mercy on B.G. On Dec. 8, Brittney was freed in a prisoner swap that saw the U.S. return Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was 11 years into a 25-year sentence, to Russia. ", EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Brittney Griner holds up a photo of her teammates while in court, RELATED: A Timeline of Brittney Griner's Detainment in Russia. Lets share a unified commitment to bringing all Americans home to their families and loved ones. Edited images from Russian state media showed Griner and Bout passing each other for a brief moment on a runaway in Abu Dhabi. It has been two months sinceWNBA player, Brittney Griner, was sentenced tonine and a half years for pleading guilty to Russian drug possession charges. ), who has been advocating for her release. She's a hostage," Cherelle said. There are no immediate plans for local celebrations out of respect for Griners recovery, but Houstonians are ecstatic, said Harris County Commissioner and longtime lawmaker Rodney Ellis. Photos showed Griner stepping off a small jet that landed before dawn in San Antonio, bundled up in a red jacket and black beanie. The WNBA superstar was moved to female penal colony No. Moments after it was confirmed the WNBA star was released after spending 294 days in Russian custody, Brittney's wife spoke out to thank President Joe Bidenand those who assisted in the effort to get Brittney free. The push to bring Griner back involved the highest echelons of government but also local leaders in Texas who saw her plight as a hometown cause. ", "I was protesting terrible conditions in my penal colony," she added, referring to the notorious IK-14 just a few miles away. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the administrations deal Friday, saying the president will continue to work to bring Whelan home. And just nothing?'". '", She said that she had to listen as her wife broke down in tears. Bill Richardson, a former ambassador to the United Nations who runs a nongovernmental group that works to free American prisoners and hostages overseas, landed in Moscow the day before Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February to discuss Mr. Reed, who was released on April 27 after being detained in Russia for 985 days. Her family also expressed their gratitude. Later this month, Brittney will find out whether or not she will be released from Russian prison. A day earlier, Mr. Biden told CNN that he would only talk to Mr. Putin at a Group of 20 meeting to be held in Bali, Indonesia, next month if it was to discuss her situation. The latest: WNBA star Brittney Griner landed in the United States around 5:30 a.m. In September, PresidentJoe Bidenmet with Cherellein the Oval Office. Now, some 10 years later, the musician advises that Griner take her incarceration "minute to minute because you never know when you're gonna get attacked. "It's one of the harshest colonies it is literally the harshest colony in the whole Russian prison system. ET Friday in San Antonio. Brittney has a really strong support system, and Im hopeful her recovery will be complete and quicker than others.. The star is gearing up to appeal her lengthy prison sentence on Oct. 25. 341; Old news is old news! Why was Griner detained? "I'm terrified that Brittney Griner was moved to IK-2," Tolokonnikova told MSNBC. Prisoner trade deal: Her release was part of a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. WNBA star Brittney Griner freed in US-Russia prisoner swap WATCH: 1-year-old girl accidentally locked inside car frees herself under mom's direction. Ive felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her. The WNBA superstar will likely face "slave-like conditions" and "daily torture" at the facility. We are thrilled she is home, said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex. "And so today I am just standinghere overwhelmed with emotions,but the most important emotionthat I have right now is justsincere gratitude for President Biden and his entireadministration. Shes going to need time for herself with people who love her and to be protected from people who may want to reach her. Facing nine years in prison in Russia, the U.S. basketball star is struggling emotionally and worried that a swap deal to release her may not materialize, according to one of her attorneys. Cherelle Griner is thankful that after months of captivity, her wife Brittney Griner is finally on her way home. as well. Outside the penal colony near Moscow where Ms. Griner is being held. But American officials have said that U.S. government efforts in that case were led by John Sullivan, the ambassador to Russia at the time, and by the team of Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. Several of the high-ranking officials at her penal colony have since been tried and convicted of wrongdoing. In August, she was sentenced to nine years in prison after a trial that was all but assured to end in a conviction. WNBA Star Brittney Griner landed in San Antonio on Dec. 9 after being released from Russian detention in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Cherelle also went on to acknowledge the "many hands involved" in securing the athlete's release, including Vice President Kamala Harris and theNational Security Council, among other officials. Dixon cautioned U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad to take note of this moment in global politics. Russia wanted Viktor Bout back, badly. We want to hear from you! The high-profile case galvanized Griners supporters in the sports world and beyond, including in Texas, her home state, where many were celebrating her arrival Friday. News App. Mr. Richardson, who has been unofficially negotiating with Russian officials as a private citizen, said on Sunday that he was cautiously optimistic that Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan would be released and suggested that they could be freed by the end of the year. Ukraine live briefing: Putin says Griner talks have not led to further dial Russian court sentences war critic to eight years for spreading fake news Who is Viktor Bout, Russian arms dealer swapped for Brittney Griner? For more on Cherelle Griner, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. Edward Wong contributed reporting from Washington. As MADAMENOIRE previously reported, the U.S. may be in talks to exchange Griner forconvicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, also known as the Merchant of Death. Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison on conspiracy charges after he was accused of providing aid to terrorist organizations. And I've known B.G. In a clip from the CBS Mornings interview, Cherelle Griner told Gayle Kingthat Brittneys imprisonment feels like shes a hostage., She added, Im like, in no world did I ever thought, you know, our president and a foreign nations president would be sitting down having to discuss the freedom of my wife. I was like, 'That's the most disturbing conversation. Ms. Griners lawyer Alexandr D. Boykov, center, speaking after the verdict in August. Ms. Griner spends the rest of her time in a small cell with two cellmates, sitting and sleeping on a specially elongated bed to accommodate her 6-foot-9 frame, Mr. Boykov added. "On its face it just seems like my wife is a hostage. 11 years. "B.G. "Brittney Griner's birthday is today," Curry says. I look forward to the day my wife is back home., She continued, As my family and I continue on this journey, Id like to thank the broad coalition of friends, leaders and supporters who continue to stand with us and advocate for Brittneys swift and safe return. But there's another party in this situation, and we also are dealing with the need for Russia to have mercy on B.G. The Russians were not willing to negotiate in good faith for Paul Whelan. The United States has said that her detention and trial were politically motivated and that the Kremlin wants to exchange her for high-profile Russian citizens held in the United States. Shes very afraid about being left and forgotten in Russia, or just completely used to the point of her detriment, Cherelle said, noting how on one call, her wife told her that she felt like her life doesnt matter., Like, yall dont see the need to get me back home? Man zip-tied, set on fire by California car thieves after stopping to help seemingly stranded woman: Report, Heavy rain, wind, snow blows through California into Sierra. Defense lawyers for the former Phoenix Mercury star said she had been prescribed cannabis oil for pain. is not here to say this," she continued. The 31-year-old WNBA star is a two-time U.S Who came to Brittney Griner's defense? Putin needed the swap to appear equitable and probably rejected any proposals to exchange two valued prisoners Griner and Whelan for one Russian on the grounds that hard-liners in his government would dispute it, the analyst said. And in comments aired on Russian state television, President Vladimir Putin characterized Griners release as an isolated instance in which the two nations had come to an agreement. Mr. Whelan, who was sentenced in June 2020 to 16 years, has spent most of his time sewing buttons at a prison camp in the Mordovia region of western Russia. Brittney Griner's wife, Chenelle, in an interview with CNN. To secure Griner's release, the president ordered Bout to be freed and returned to Russia. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! Holding on to her too long might have been something the Russians were not so eager to do.. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "I have heard so many stories about this exact situation happening with Americans going through Russia and at the airport they were told, 'Pay a fine and go on with your day.' Brittney does has a prescription for medical cannabis in Arizona for chronic pain, but in Russia, no amount of cannabis is legal. Her cell, shared with two other prisoners, has a specially elongated bed to accommodate her 6-foot-9 frame, her lawyer said. Russian authorities were concerned that she had received international support because shes a global sports star, Courtney said. 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