The White House has released an update about Brittney Griner‘s detainment in Russia. On Oct. 25, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, provided a statement that said the United States is still making efforts to bring home the basketball legend.
The statement comes after Griner’s appeal was denied by the Russian court, as her nine-year sentence for drug charges is being upheld.
“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,” Sullivan’s statement read. “Preside Biden has been very clear that Brittney should be released immediately. In recent weeks, the Biden-Harris Administration has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan.”
Sullivan said Biden is willing to go “to extraordinary lengths” to bring all the wrongfully-detained Americans home.
“The Administration remains in regular touch with representatives of the families, and we continue to admire their courage in the face of these unimaginable circumstances,” Sullivan’s statement read.
Griner allegedly possessed a cartridge vape of cannabis oil flying into Russia from New York. The superstar athlete flew into the country to return to her overseas, offseason-WNBA club. The arrest occurred days after the United States advised Americans not to travel to the country, as American-ally Ukraine was on the verge of war with Russia.
Named one of the WNBA’s 25 greatest players ever, Griner is an Olympic gold medalist and changed women’s basketball forever by dunking in games on a consistent basis.
