Brittney Griner fell through a hole of hardships after being detained by the Russian authorities over a year ago. Her arrest sparked rage across the world and people began to call out the Russians for using her as a political pawn. However, for the legal and political authorities of Russia, they did not like the fact that their anti-drug laws were being compromised. She was sentenced to nine in prison in the Russian Penal Colonies, a horrible place for convicts.
The WNBA player was released in a prisoner swap in December in exchange for Viktor Bout. Brittney Griner made her first media appearance a few days ago. She sent a brief message to individuals still being held hostage by the Russians. “And I would say to everyone that is wrongfully detained right now across the world. Stay strong, keep fighting. Don’t give up. Just keep waking up, find a little routine, and stick to that routine. It’s best you can. I know that’s what helped me,” she told the media.
Brittney Griner, who spent 10 months detained in Russia, delivered a message of support to other American detainees in Russia, Paul Whelan & Evan Gershkovich, while speaking at a press conference ahead of her return to the WNBA next month. pic.twitter.com/wpsEL6MNC3
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 27, 2023
She concluded her message by saying, “Just keep pushing. Cause we’re not going to stop. We’re not going to stop fighting. We’re not going to stop bringing awareness to everyone that’s left behind right now.” Griner was not the only person being wrongfully held by Russian authorities. Paul Whelan, an ex-marine has been held by them for four years now. Recently, Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist was also detained on suspicion of espionage.
What happened to Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich?
Four years ago, Paul Whelan was detained by the Russians for espionage. They suspected that he was a spy sent by the Americans. The United States administration initially pushed for both Griner and Whelan to be released together. After months of trial, Russia only agreed to swap Brittney Griner but not the ex-marine. Whelan was heartbroken and confused about why the US hadn’t made efforts earlier.
He said he is “greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the fourth anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here?” he said, according to NPR. President Joe Biden and his team are still pursuing his release but the Russians have not given them a fair answer.
Recently, Evan Gershkovich was also detained under the same suspicion. He is the first-ever American Journalist detained by the Russians since the Cold War. According to The Guardian, Gershkovich’s representatives from the States have denied their accusations. Russia even denied the UA Administration’s request to see Evan. His arrest enraged journalists from around the globe as they protest against his wrongful detainment.