In letters to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken, Donalds and Owens acknowledged that Grina had violated Russian law, but her detention is worrisome given the deteriorating geopolitics, Fox News Digital exclusively reported.
“Today, we write to you about the tragic case of WNBA star Britney Griner, who was held for violating the country’s illegal drug laws,” they wrote in the letter. Each Americans, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, must obey the laws of every sovereign nation. We’re not attacking Russian laws here, but we’re very concerned about the current rapidly deteriorating situation in Russia and Eastern Europe. detention.
“While Grena made a grave mistake, we condemn the Russian government for using her as a pawn to advance their ruthless and pathological goal of achieving the reincarnation of the Soviet Union. We call on your government to take Putin squarely and send a clear message to the Kremlin. Message that the US will not tolerate Putin using Americans as pawns at this sinister and bleak time in the world. Putin’s unprovoked and brutal attack on Ukraine is a slap in the face to the West and it is time for the US to stand up to this villain already. Grina proudly represented our country on the domestic and world stage as one of the few players to win a collegiate championship, WNBA and Euroleague titles, and an Olympic gold medal, we urge Grina and others detained Americans in Putin’s hellish country have returned safely.”
In the end they wrote: “No American should be held hostage by a heinous and deranged dictator. As Ukraine continues its heroic fight for freedom, the United States must send a message to the world that freedom must always prevail, no An American would be thrown out.”
Grina was arrested in February, and Russian authorities said a cigarette holder containing cannabis oil was found during a search of her luggage at the airport. If convicted, she could face five to 10 years in prison.
She has been playing in Russia for 7 years, and at Yekaterinburg University, she is a three-time Russian National League champion and a four-time Euroleague champion. She last played for the university on January 29.
