Brittney Griner's wife says WNBA star is being held as 'a hostage' in Russia

Brittney Griner's wife has broken her silence on the WNBA star's nine-year prison sentence in Russia, saying that she is being held as 'a hostage'.

Cherelle, who has been married to Griner since 2019, also admitted that her wife's incarceration 'terrifies me'.

Professional basketball player Griner was slapped with a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence after being found guilty of drug possession charges when vape cartridges containing marijuana were found in her luggage at an airport.

Seeing images emerge online of Griner behind bars left people divided with some claiming she is being wrongfully detained, while others questioned why she should get special treatment while millions of others are incarcerated on similar crimes.

Now, two months on from her official sentencing, Griner's wife has spoken out, claiming the entire ordeal feels 'like a movie for me'.

"I'm like, in no world did I ever thought, you know, our president and a foreign nation's president would be sitting down having to discuss the freedom of my wife," Cherelle told CBS' Gayle King.

"And so to me, as much as everybody's telling me a different definition of what BG is, it feels to me as if she's a hostage.

"It terrifies me, because when you watch movies, sometimes those situations don't end well. Sometimes they never get their person back."

She added: "Exactly, this is my life, and so I'm sitting there like, 'Do we get her back? Do I ever get to see my wife again? Like, what happens [next]?'"

"The fact that everything is so unprecedented and everything is like, changeable, I think is a really good word. I feel like every day I'm hearing something new, and so it's just... it's terrifying."

It's understood Cherelle has been having meetings with the Biden administration in a bid to secure Griner's freedom.

Following one particular meeting, Cherelle posted a picture on her Instagram to thank the US President.

"I want to thank President Biden for yesterday's meeting as well as the Administration for its efforts to secure my wife's release," she wrote in the caption. "It was an honor to speak with him directly about the Brittney we know and love. I've felt every minute of the gruelling seven months without her. I look forward to the day my wife is back home.

"As my family and I continue on this journey, I’d like to thank the broad coalition of friends, leaders and supporters who continue to stand with us and advocate for Brittney’s swift and safe return. Let’s share a unified commitment to bringing all Americans home to their families and loved ones. Together We Are BG."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Instagram/cherelletgriner

Topics: Australia, NBA, Basketball, Russia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry