WNBA star Brittney Griner has been relocated to a forced labor camp in Russia.
The basketball player, who was detained in Russia for allegedly having cannabis oil, received a 9-year sentence in a Russian prison. Her appeal against the sentence was denied by a Russian court last month.
The White House released a statement early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, criticizing the decision to move Griner to a labor camp.
“Every moment that Brittney Griner unjustly remains detained in Russia is a moment too long,” stated White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“As the Administration continues to work tirelessly to secure her release, the President has directed the Administration to negotiate with her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be subjected to in a penal colony,” the statement continued.
“The U.S. Government remains committed to advocating for Brittney and other Americans detained in Russia – including fellow detainee Paul Whelan,” Jean-Pierre emphasized.
Griner will encounter harsh conditions in the forced labor camp, making it challenging for her family to communicate with her or even ascertain her exact whereabouts.
Griner had traveled to Russia to participate in the WBNA offseason in February when Russian authorities discovered cannabis oil in her luggage. She was promptly arrested for possession of the vape cartridges and subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison.
The U.S. government has entered into discussions with Russia regarding a prisoner swap, but there has been minimal progress.
Author of “Putin’s Playbook,” Rebekah Koffler, informed Fox News that the strained relations due to the Russo-Ukrainian War have affected the negotiations.
“This is another case that demonstrates that Americans are not safe in Russia, especially Americans of Russian descent, particularly during the current historic low point in relations between Moscow and Washington, including the Cold War,” the intelligence expert stated last month.
