The issue with Brittney Griner is that everyone wants her release, but at the moment, the United States has no power over Russia.
The government isn’t going to bomb Russia just over Brittney Griner.
At the highest levels, one would hope someone knows where she is and how she is being treated, but on the lower levels, it seems no one knows where she is being held and how long she might have to stay.
It is clear she isn’t going anywhere until the war with Ukraine is over.
Here is what Congresswoman Sheila Lee is saying about trying to get her home.
Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Houston, touched on the situation during a press conference Saturday (Mar. 5). She said:
“We know that there were some issues dealing with vape cartridges and other items but let me be very clear: Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia … and I will be demanding her release,”
“I don’t want to disregard a sovereign nation but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations his entire service in this world,”
She added:
“Anyone that is killing and attacking and destroying Ukraine, a neighboring country that is not bothering them, has no right to hold Ms. Griner. Period.”
Griner was arrested for having a vape cartridge–which contained liquid with hash oil–inside her carry-on at the airport. She was traveling from New York to Moscow.
The basketball champion has been sitting in jail during the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Griner allegedly has criminal charges pending. If convicted, she’s could face up to 10 years in prison.
Griner was making $1.5 million over in Russia, which is why she was willing to go back even on the eve of war. Now no one knows when she will be on US soil again.
Flip the pages for the congresswoman speaking on the situation and more about Griner’s detainment.