Congressman Cohen Seeks Release of Griner, Whelan and Kara-Murza

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today wrote to President Biden to encourage him to do everything in his power to secure the release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan and Vladimir Kara-Murza from Russian detention.

The letter reads in part:

"I write today to thank you for negotiating the release of former Marine Trevor Reed who had been detained in Russia since 2019 and urge you to do everything in your power to secure the release of Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, former Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian political oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza…

"I understand the delicacy of these types of situations. There is no legitimate legal system in Russia, and the courts are nothing more than a tool for the Kremlin to use against its opponents. We cannot leave these people to be trapped indefinitely in a Russian prison simply because Putin wants to provoke and engage in diplomatic brinkmanship with the United States. I hope you will consider all options in ensuring the release of these three brave individuals."

See the entire letter here.

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