Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee demands Russia release Brittney Griner: 'No right'

The American Conservative Union senior fellow says that Vladimir Putin is attempting to punish the U.S. for their involvement with Ukraine.

Texas Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is demanding the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner who was detained by authorities in Russia for allegedly possessing a vape with cannabis oil.

"We know that there were some issues dealing with vape cartridges and other items but let me be very clear," Lee, who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, Texas, in Congress, said on Saturday. "Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia…and I will be demanding her release."

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half in Game Four of the 2021 WNBA semifinals  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Lee added that she has spoken with the State Department to "try and get them to focus on her circumstances."

"I don’t want to disregard a sovereign nation but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations his entire service in this world," Lee said. "Anyone that is killing and attacking and destroying Ukraine, a neighboring country that is not bothering them, has no right to hold Ms. Griner. Period."

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Lee called for any alleged infraction to be dealt with "diplomatically" and referenced Griner’s "storied history of Olympic gold medals" and said that a Moscow prison is "no place for her" especially when considering the fact that Putin has reportedly thrown thousands of Ukraine war protesters into jail.

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