Phoenix: Brittney Griner’s Wife Reveals Painful Story of Failed Phone Call From WNBA Star Amid Detention in Russia

By Rick Martin First Posted: Jun 20, 2022 08:49 PM EDT

Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, has spoken up about trying to call her wife, who is currently detained in Russia.

Cherelle Griner spoke to the Associated Press about her experience, stating that the WNBA star tried calling nearly a dozen times through the U.S. embassy in Russia during the couple's fourth wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, the call never connected. Charelle confirmed that the phone line at the embassy was not staffed, so Brittney's phone calls never came through.

Cherelle has not spoken to her wife since her arrest in February earlier this year. She was supposed to have called Brittney on Saturday after the Russian government granted them approval. Unfortunately, the call never happened. Initially, Cherelle suspected Russian authorities have rescinded their approval of the call, but that was not the case.

She would later learn from her lawyers that Brittney tried calling her over 11 times over several hours, dialing the number given at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. The couple has been told that the call would be patched through to Cherelle in Phoenix. The call did not connect because the embassy desk where the phone rang was unstaffed on that day.

In a statement, Cherelle said that she was distraught, hurt, and fed up. She added that she texted Brittney's agent to tell everyone not to contact her because she did not want to talk to anybody after attempting to call.

U.S. State Department Issued An Apology To Brittney Griner's Wife

The State Department has released a statement regarding the missed phone calls on Monday, stating, "We deeply regret that Brittney Griner was unable to speak with her wife because of a logistical error." They would then reiterate that the safety of Americans overseas is their highest priority and is currently in contact with families of those who have been wrongfully detained, as well as hostages.

And although a contact from the U.S. government has already reached out to her and apologized, Cherelle Griner told the AP that she still found it unacceptable and has no trust in the government right now. She says that she is "very pissed" as the call has been scheduled for two weeks already. Cherelle has been told that the number Brittney was given to call her was only active from Monday to Friday and was unstaffed on weekends.

Brittney Griner Was Arrested Because Of Her Vape Cartridges

Brittney Griner, who is currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, was captured and detained by Russian authorities at the Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17. CBS Sports reports that Brittney was found with several of her vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia. She has been charged with smuggling cannabis into the country, which is currently at odds with the United States over their invasion of Ukraine.

The 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist was in Russia because she was also playing for the Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, during the WNBA offseason.

U.S. Representative Colin Allred has voiced his concerns about the WNBA star's arrest. He told CNN that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow should have had access to her immediately after her arrest. Unfortunately, they were only allowed to talk to her a few weeks later than expected. Allred states that this is "unusual and concerning."

Cherelle Griner also confirmed that U.S. officials and lawyers have now been able to gain permission to talk to her wife. She also told AP News that she still hopes for a meeting with President Joe Biden but admits that may never happen.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: WNBA star Brittney Griner detained in Russia