WNBA star Brittany Griner, who spent 10 months in Russian custody on drug charges, is calling for the release of Wall St. Journal reporter Ivan Gershkovich, who has been detained there and charged with espionage.
Griner said on Instagram that he was concerned about her safety and urged President Joe Biden to act.
Gershkovich was arrested by Russian authorities last Thursday and charged with espionage. He is the first American journalist to be detained by Russia since the Cold War.
Griner was convicted by a Russian court in 2022 for possessing cannabis oil. He was released in a controversial prisoner exchange.
The Instagram message from Griner and wife Cherrell was posted Saturday.
“Our hearts are filled with great concern for Ivan Gershkovich and his family since Ivan’s detention in Russia.” He said, “Every American that is taken is there for us to fight and the return of every American is a victory for all of us.”
The Wall Street Journal denied the espionage allegation. President Biden told the media and the Russians on Friday to “let him go.” US officials have not been able to contact Gershkovich since his arrest.