Former Gov. Could Have Plan to Free Baylor Ex Brittney Griner
Former Baylor Bears basketball star and Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for allegedly possessing cannabis oil, an offense that can net up to 10 years in a Russian federal prison.
And in a process that has seemingly seen no progress following Griner's last two court appearances on July 1 and July 7, one potential move could help bring the WNBA star home.
An anonymous source with knowledge of the situation told ABC News that former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is planning a trip to Russia in the coming weeks to negotiate a prisoner exchange that could set Griner, 31, free.
Richardson previously served as a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and was the energy secretary during President Bill Clinton's administration. He has specific experience with freeing American captives from Russian hands, as he helped initiate a prisoner exchange in April that saw the release of former U.S Marine Trevor Reed.
Reed was stuck in Russia for almost two and a half years. This lengthy time away from home is something Griner's wife, Cherelle, admitted she was afraid of happening to the WNBA star when hearing the stories from families of loved ones detained in the country.
"And the first thing they said was, you know, 'Do not be quiet about this. Do not let them forget about your loved one,'" she told CNN. "My heart was breaking hearing it because I, I pray to God, you know, three years does not pass by and BG is still wrongfully detained in Russia,"
Richardson's office told ABC News “we are unable to comment on this at the moment," as the potential visit is still without confirmation from him or his associates.
Mickey Bergman, executive director at the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, responded on the situation to ABC News in an email.
“What I can say (and is publicly known) is both the Whelan and Griner families have asked us to help with the release of their loved ones,” Bergman said.
Richardson is currently the representative for the Griner family.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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