Joe Biden condemns Griner sentence and calls for ‘immediate release’

The nine-and-a half-year sentence handed down by a Russian court to WBNA player and US Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner after she was found guilty of drug possession was greeted in America with outrage and condemnation.

Joe Biden released a statement following Griner’s sentencing, calling her detention “unacceptable”.

The US president said: “American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates.

“My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, shared a statement about Griner’s sentencing on Twitter, writing: “The Russian court’s conviction and sentencing of US citizen Brittney Griner spotlights our concerns with the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions.”

Blinken further reiterated his commitment to bringing Griner home along with Paul Whelan, another American citizen who has been detained in Russia since 2020.

The WBNA and NBA posted a joint statement on Twitter following Thursday’s verdict in Moscow: “Today’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained.

“The WBNA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of the process of finally bringing BG home to the United States.”

The Rev Al Sharpton blasted Griner’s sentencing, calling it a “moral outrage”.

“The sentencing of Brittney Griner is a moral outrage