On Wednesday, the family of Trevor Reed, the marine who was being held in Russia since July 2020, thanked President Biden for securing their son’s release. Reed was arrested on allegations that he had assaulted police officers in Russia. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this past February, his parents became more insistent that the U.S. negotiate for his release amid growing concerns for his health. Reed’s father expressed concerns that his son, who had been coughing up blood, had contracted tuberculosis.
It is reported that Reed was denied medical care when he sought it, and that he was returned to solitary confinement.
His release came as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia, which sent Konstantin Yaroshenko back to his homeland. Yaroshenko, who has denied the charges against him, was convicted in 2011 of smuggling drugs and handed a 20-year sentence.
That leaves Paul Whelan and Britney Griner as two Americans still detained in Russia.
Whelan, a former Marine, was arrested at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 on allegations of spying for the U.S. government. Whelan, who denied the charges, remained in pretrial detention until June 2020, at which time he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The U.S. government declared his trial unfair. Whelan is being held in what has been described as a remote labor camp.
Little is known about the conditions in which Griner is being held, and words like “okay,” have been used to describe her condition. Griner, starring center for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested on February 17 on allegations that she had attempted to smuggle vape cartridges into Russia through a Moscow airport. Griner remains in pretrial detention until May 19. If her trial produces a conviction, she could face 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, the WNBA is carrying on with business as usual, though it has organized for every team to donate shoes this season to BG’s yearly Heart and Sole shoe drive. Preseason games are underway, and the regular season tips off on May 6. Will you be attending or watching WNBA games this season? If you were already a WNBA fan, have your views of the season changed in the aftermath of the league’s handling of her situation? Drop a line in the comments.
In other news, Griner’s wife, Cherelle, last week announced on Instagram that she had finished law school! Congratulations to Cherelle on her big achievement during a time of unimaginable strain.
-TS
Photo credit: Cherelle T. Griner via Instagram.