As Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia lingers on, more people are banding together to get her released. More than 40 minority organizations teamed up to sign a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to negotiate Griner’s immediate release.
Griner was arrested on Feb. 17 for allegedly having vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in luggage that was searched at the Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow. If convicted of the offense, the 31-year-old athlete could face up to 10 years in prison. As pressure mounts for the government to negotiate Griner’s return, officials insist Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ stance remains the same.
“President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. “The U.S. government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home.”
Today’s hearing was administrative in nature and not on the merits. That said, the fact remains that the U.S. Government has determined that Brittney Griner is wrongfully detained and being used as a political pawn. [1/2]After news of Griner’s detention being extended by a Moscow court on Monday, Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas backed calls for Biden and Harris to take action.
“Today’s hearing was administrative in nature and not on the merits,” tweeted Colas. “That said, the fact remains that the U.S. Government has determined that Brittney Griner is wrongfully detained and being used as a political pawn. The negotiation for her immediate release regardless of the legal proceedings should remain a top priority and we expect @POTUS and @VP to do everything in their power, right now, to get a deal done to bring her home.
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