President Biden Gives An Update On His Efforts To Get Brittney Griner Out Of Russian Prison: “So far, we’re not really with much positive response, but we’re not stopping”
President Joe Biden is giving an update on how the US is handling cases of Americans who are currently jailed in Russia.
Speaking from the White House, Biden said, “We are in constant contact with Russian authorities to get Brittney and others out, and so far we’re not meeting with much positive response,” Biden told reporters on Tuesday. “But we’re not stopping.”
RELATED: Brittney Griner Fears Having To Spend Full Nine-Year Prison Sentence In Russia, Says Her Lawyer
As we previously reported, a Russian court rejected an appeal by WNBA star Brittney Griner against her nine-year sentence for drug smuggling. The ruling means the 32-year-old who’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will leave pre-trial detention near Moscow and be sent to serve her prison term in a penal colony elsewhere in Russia.
Following the news on Tuesday, the White House called the court’s decision a “sham” and again demanded her release.
“We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “President Biden has been very clear that Brittney should be released immediately.”
Griner’s attorneys, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov also released a statement saying,
“The result was “not what we expected. The verdict contains numerous defects and we hoped that the court of appeal would take them into consideration. We still think the punishment is excessive and contradicts to the existing court practice.”
“This appeal is further verification that BG is not just wrongfully detained,” the WNBA Players Association said in a statement. “She is very clearly a hostage.’”
.@PressSec: “Our hearts are with Brittney Griner, her wife and her family, friends and teammates in light of the appalling news out of Russia today. This news only increases the urgency of our efforts to bring Brittney home.” pic.twitter.com/MlHx3AJxLx
— The Hill (@thehill) October 26, 2022
What Happened To Brittney Griner?
“On Feb. 17, Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, was taken into custody at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow after her arrived to play in the off-season with UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian women’s basketball team where Griner has been a star for over five years. Police said said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
Griner, an eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted Aug. 4. She pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs into the country and a Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison.
RELATED: Fans Send Love And Prayers To Brittney Griner As She Turns 32 Years Old in Russian Prison
