A hostage specialist emphasized the severe trauma and difficulties that detainees, like WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, may experience when detained in a foreign nation. That too for a protracted period of time.
“They face the reality of poor nutrition, sometimes no access to fresh air or actual daylight”
“They face the reality of poor nutrition. Sometimes no access to fresh air or actual daylight,” said Amy Manson of Hostage US. It is an organization that offers various aids and resources to American hostages and their families.
Manson added, “Some of our returnees face as much as 50 to 60 to 70 pounds of weight loss. And then there is muscle wastage, as well as the impact on their bodies of constant poor nutrition and constant stress”.
President Joe Biden met with Griner’s wife
President Joe Biden and National Security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Griner’s wife, Cherelle, at the White House on Friday.
“I want to thank President Biden for today’s meeting. It was an honor to speak with him directly about the Brittney we know and love, and to thank him for the Administration’s efforts to secure her release,” Cherelle said in a statement. “I’ve felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her. I look forward to the day my wife is back home.”
Other Details
Legal experts believe Griner’s July guilty plea to drug smuggling charges will facilitate her return to the United States after she spent months in detention in Russia. Last month, the two-time Olympic gold medallist received a 9-year sentence. The White House had earlier proposed exchanging Griner and jailed ex-Marine Whelan for arms trader Viktor Bout.
The Pheonix Mercury star’s family and coworkers have persisted in calling for his release.
