NEW YORK — (NEW YORK) -- Friends and family members of Brittney Griner gathered for a vigil outside the Russian Consulate in New York City on Wednesday evening, calling for the WNBA star's release ahead of her trial in Russia.
“Feb 17 was the last time I talked to my sister,” said Janell Roy, Griner’s childhood friend said at the vigil. “I haven’t been in communication with her, I haven’t been able to talk to her and it hurts.”
The Phoenix Mercury player’s trial is set to begin on Friday and she is expected to remain in custody throughout. The U.S. government classified Griner's case on May 3 as"wrongfully detained,” meaning the United States will more aggressively work to negotiate her release even as the legal case against her plays out, the State Department said.
Sullivan further stressed the U.S. is “actively engaged” in working to secure Griner’s release, but added that the diplomatic efforts are “sensitive matters.” Russia's invasion of Ukraine began one week after Griner was detained. Some officials are concerned that Americans jailed in Russia could be used as leverage in the ongoing conflict.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday that Brittney Griner’s inability to reach her wife was an “unfortunate mistake,” adding that another phone call has been scheduled.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brittney Griner: Who is she and what was she doing in Russia?WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner was arrested after a search of her luggage by the Russian Customs Service revealed vape cartridges said to contain cannabis oil. — via TheGrowthOp explainer cannabiscommunity cannabisculture
Read more »
WNBA star Brittney Griner is 'struggling' and 'terrified' in Russia, wife saysBrittney Griner's wife said in an interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton that the WNBA star is 'struggling' and feeling 'terrified' as she remains held in Russian custody.
Read more »
VTB sealed the first deal with digital financial assets in RussiaAs part of the deal, the bank subsidiary acquires a tokenized debt pool of the engineering company Metrowagonmash, issued via the fintech platform Lighthouse.
Read more »
NATO sends nuclear retaliation warning to Russia and ChinaNATO is putting Russia and any other “nuclear-armed peer-competitors” on notice that the trans-Atlantic alliance can and will retaliate against any nuclear attack.
Read more »
Watch: Pro-Russia recruits training on self-propelled heavy mortar vehicleImages allegedly show fresh recruits for a pro-Russia separatist region in Ukraine training on a self-propelled heavy mortar vehicle in eastern Ukraine.
Read more »
Biden: US boosting force posture in Europe for Russia threatPresident Joe Biden says that the U.S. is enhancing its force posture in Europe for the long haul to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Read more »