Brittney Griner, the American basketball star, is celebrating her 32nd birthday at home with her family after being released from a Russian prison. Griner expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her detainment and thanked everyone for fighting to bring her home. Her attorneys, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, spent time with her on her birthday and conveyed numerous birthday wishes to her.
The #WeAreBG campaign, launched by Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner and others close to her, aims to put pressure on the US government and other parties to secure her release. Cherelle expressed the difficulty of being without Brittney for the past seven months and thanked President Biden for the administration’s efforts to bring her home.
Griner’s Detainment and Legal Proceedings
Griner was detained in February when she entered Russia and was found to be in possession of cannabis oil. She pleaded guilty to drug charges, explaining that she accidentally packed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil when she was in a hurry. In August, she was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison. Her legal team plans to appeal the decision to the Moscow region court.
The US State Department classified Griner as wrongfully detained, indicating that regardless of her legal status in Russia, the US government will seek to negotiate her release. In July, the US government announced a substantial proposal to bring Griner and Paul Whelan, a former US marine serving a 16-year sentence in Russia, back to the US. However, there has been little information on progress made to release Griner, and the US Embassy in Russia has not had consular access to her since early August.
Support for Griner’s Release
Griner’s friends, family, and teammates have shown their support for her release through the #WeAreBG campaign. Her USA teammate Breanna Stewart emphasized the importance of bringing Griner home and expressed that the team has not forgotten her. WNBA players, including Stewart, have also boycotted playing in Russia during the WNBA offseason as a show of solidarity with Griner.
Courtney Vandersloot, who previously played with Griner at the Russian club team Yekaterinburg, highlighted the safety concerns of returning to Russia given Griner’s situation. Other American athletes, such as Alex Morgan, have shown their support on social media by wearing images of Griner on their shirts.
The #WeAreBG campaign encourages people to join the movement, petition for Griner’s freedom, and write notes to her. The hope is that this will be the last birthday she celebrates in prison.
Brittney Griner’s Return to Basketball
After being released from prison, Griner made her return to basketball with the Phoenix Mercury. In her first regular-season home game, she had an impressive performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking four shots. Despite her efforts, the Mercury fell short of a win against the Chicago Sky.
Griner’s homecoming was celebrated by fans, who wore her jersey and waved towels with “BG” on them. She received a warm reception from her teammates, opponents, and the crowd. Griner expressed her emotions about being back on the court and the support she received.
Paul Whelan’s Ongoing Detainment
While Griner’s release is a cause for celebration, it also highlights the ongoing detainment of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges. Whelan’s family expressed disappointment that he was not included in the prisoner swap that led to Griner’s release. They continue to advocate for his freedom and hope for a resolution to his case.
The Biden administration has pledged to continue working to secure Whelan’s release and is in close contact with his family. Whelan himself expressed frustration with the lack of progress in his case and hopes to speak directly with President Biden.
Conclusion
Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison and her return home to celebrate her birthday with her family is a cause for celebration. The #WeAreBG campaign and the support from her friends, teammates, and fans have played a significant role in advocating for her freedom. However, the ongoing detainment of Paul Whelan highlights the challenges faced by Americans detained abroad. The Biden administration remains committed to securing Whelan’s release and is in close communication with his family. The cases of Griner and Whelan serve as reminders of the importance of diplomatic efforts to bring Americans detained abroad back home safely.