Brittney Griner says she has “great concern” for Wall Street Journal reporter held in Russia

Basketball superstar Brittney Griner, who was detained in Russia for months, has expressed concern for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in that country last week.  

“Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan’s detainment in Russia,” Griner said in a joint statement with her wife, Cherelle, on Saturday. “We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home.” 

“Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all,” they added. 

Griner was held for months in a prison in Russia before she was released in December in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms deal Viktor Bout. The Griners said they were “grateful” for the Biden administration’s “commitment to rescue Americans” and praised the government’s recent efforts to release aid worker Jeff Woodke and “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Ruseabagina. 

The Griners called on supporters to encourage the administration to “use every tool possible to bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home.” 

Russian authorities arrested him charges of spying for Washington, Russia’s FSB security services said Thursday. The FSB security services said they had “halted the illegal activities of U.S. citizen Evan Gershkovich,” saying The Wall Street Journal reporter was “suspected of spying in the interests of the American government.”

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The Wall Street Journal said it denies the allegations and is seeking the immediate release of the 31-year-old journalist. On Friday, President Joe Biden urged Russia to “let him go.” 

Gershkovich’s arrest comes as Western journalists in Russia face increasing restrictions. Staff of Western media outlets often report being tailed, particularly during trips outside of major urban hubs of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.