Biden Reacts To Brittney Griner Sentence Calls It ‘Unacceptable’

United States President; Joe Biden on Thursday called Brittany Griner’s sentence “unacceptable” after the WNBA superstar was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a drug charge.

After a month-long trial, Griner found out her fate. In February, she was arrested at a Moscow airport on charges of possessing wipe cartridges with hemp oil. After Russia invaded Ukraine, word of her arrest did not make it across the ocean until March.

Biden also made it clear that the US government’s focus is on bringing Griner and another detained American, Paul Whelan, home from a Russian prison.

“Today, US citizen Brittany Griner received a prison sentence, serving as another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is unfairly detaining Brittany,” Biden said in a statement.

“This is unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and bring Brittany and Paul Whelan home safely.” Will make every effort to do so. As soon as possible.”

Griner was also fined 1 million rubles, the equivalent of about $16,400. She offered an apology before his sentence.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans, and (Yekaterinburg) city for the mistake I did and the embarrassment I brought on them,” she said. “I also want to apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization at home, the wonderful women of the WNBA, and my wonderful spouse at home.”

Griner argued that she made “an honest mistake” when he brought vape cartridges containing cannabis oils into a Moscow airport back in February, “I hope that under your rule this will not end my life.”

After a break in the season for international play, Griner was returning to his Russian basketball team, UMMC Yekaterinburg. He called Yekaterinburg his “second home”.

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“I had no idea the team, the city, the fans, my teammates would make such a good impression on me in the 6 1/2 years I spent here. I remember coming out of the gym and all the little girls. They were standing there waiting for me, and that’s what kept me coming back here,” she said.