WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested by the Russian Federation sometime in February for having "cannabis oil" in her bag and accused of "smuggling narcotics," which carries a ten-year sentence in Russia. "There are no words to express this pain. I'm hurting, we're hurting," wrote her wife on Instagram.
Griner joins other detained Americans Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan, who are both serving sentences in brutal Russian prisons on likely trumped-up charges of assaulting a policeman and espionage.
Tell Congress to free the Americans imprisoned in Russia!
With the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the US and Russia over Vladimir Putin's horrific invasion of Ukraine, their families are terrified their loved ones will end up as political pawns in Russian schemes. "Our diplomatic relationships with Russia are nonexistent at the moment," warned Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA).
Griner's story — and those of Whelan and Reed — have flown under the media's radar as attention is rightfully put on the plight of those suffering under Russian bombardment in Ukraine. But these Americans so much deserve better than a Russian labor camp, and we can't let them be forgotten.
Call upon Biden and US allies to secure the release of Brittney Griner and other American political prisoners held in Russia!
