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“I need to apologize to my teammates, my membership, my followers, and the town of [Yekaterinburg] for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I introduced on them,” Griner stated in her assertion. “I need to additionally apologize to my mother and father, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury group again at house, the wonderful girls of the WNBA, and my wonderful partner again at house.”
Responding to her sentence, President Joe Biden slammed Russia for “wrongfully detaining” Griner, saying he would “pursue each potential avenue” to convey her house.
“It’s unacceptable, and I name on Russia to launch her instantly so she may be together with her spouse, family members, associates, and teammates,” Biden stated in an announcement. “My administration will proceed to work tirelessly and pursue each potential avenue to convey Brittney and Paul Whelan house safely as quickly as potential.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver additionally launched a joint assertion condemning the decision.
“At this time’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unlucky, however not surprising and Brittney Griner stays wrongly detained,” they stated. “The WNBA and NBA’s dedication to her secure return has not wavered and it’s our hope that we’re close to the tip of this strategy of lastly bringing BG house to america.”
Griner beforehand testified that she used hashish oil prescribed by her physician to deal with ache from sports activities accidents, however had packed her baggage in a rush and didn’t imply to convey them to Russia, the place she was enjoying within the WNBA offseason. “As they ended up in my baggage accidentally, I take duty, however I didn’t intend to smuggle or plan to smuggle [illegal substances] to Russia,” she had testified on July 27.
Griner additionally complained that her rights weren’t learn to her when she was first arrested and that she didn’t obtain correct translation companies throughout the investigation.
In a letter written to Biden final month, Griner stated she was “terrified” she is likely to be held in a Russian jail perpetually.
“I notice you might be coping with a lot, however please don’t neglect about me and the opposite American Detainees,” she stated. “Please do all you possibly can to convey us house.”
Colas, Griner’s agent, stated they appreciated the Biden administration’s efforts to convey basketball star and Whelan again to the US.
“Bringing Brittney and Paul house is the only real goal, and as such, we should always use all accessible instruments,” Colas stated. “We should stay centered and unified. It is a time for compassion and a shared understanding that getting a deal completed to convey Individuals house shall be onerous, however it’s pressing and it’s the proper factor to do.”
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