Admin l Thursday, 04 August 2022
WASHINGTON – The United States of America has condemned Russia over conviction and sentencing of Brittney Griner, a U.S basketball star to nine years imprisonment and a fine of USD 16, 000.
She was convicted for alleged drug trafficking and related offences.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken said the conviction and sentencing by a Russian court of Brittney Griner to nine years further compounds the injustice of her wrongful detention.
“This step puts a spotlight on our significant concerns with Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda, using individuals as political pawns”, the United States said.
According to him, nothing about today’s decision changes the U.S determination that Brittney Griner is wrongfully detained, and we will continue working to bring Brittney and fellow wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan home.
“This is an absolute priority of mine and the Department’s”, he said
He said the United States will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia.
He noted that Russia, and any country engaging in wrongful detention, represents a threat to the safety of everyone traveling, working, and living abroad. ” The United States opposes this practice everywhere”, he said.
