We are all watching the devastating attacks Russia is unleashing on Ukraine. We see the refugees fleeing across the border and mourn for the bodies that have been left behind.
While the invasion rages on and our concerns for the people of Ukraine continue, we must not forget about one specific person in Russia who is suffering and that we cannot directly help.
WNBA star, Brittney Griner.
The Phoenix Mercury player has been imprisoned in Russia for over a month due to her arrest on drug charges sometime in February at Sheremetyevo Airport outside of Moscow.
“A working dog from the Sheremetyevo Customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage,” said the Russian Federal Customs Service in a statement. “The customs inspection of the hand luggage being carried by the U.S. citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with specifically-smelling liquid, and an expert determined that the liquid was cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance.”
As a result, a criminal case against Griner for “the ‘large-scale transportation of drugs” was opened and she faces 5-10 years in prison.
The public had no knowledge of her arrest until it was released to the world by the Russian-controlled state media on March 5th. Since that time, the U.S. government has acknowledged that they are in constant talks with Russian authorities concerning her release.
But during a time when the United States and other allied countries are punishing Russia for their invasion of Ukraine through economic sanctions, Griner’s status as a hostage/bargaining chip to be wielded against the U.S. makes her a valuable asset for Russia.
It sounds like the plot for the film “Spy Games”, but it’s reality.
Last week, the Khimki City Court in Moscow ruled that Griner’s detainment would continue until May 19th.
“The court granted the petition of the investigation and extended the term of detention of U.S. citizen Griner until May 19,” said the court.
Then on Tuesday, the AP quoted an unnamed American expert on Russian law who said that Griner could be sent to a labor camp if she’s convicted of drug smuggling charges.
While we don’t know if that’s true, we do know Russia’s reputation for unforgiving and crooked sentencing, so this isn’t a far-fetched notion.
This all makes Griner’s current situation in Russia even more frightening than when it was first revealed.
And that’s why it’s even more crucial that we all remain vigilant about her imprisonment.
Historically, we’ve left those outside the “norm” behind far too often.
People from marginalized groups, disenfranchised communities and those who “don’t look like us” have been shunned and shamed simply for being different. So instead of welcoming, supporting, embracing and championing them, they were frowned upon and dismissed.
And that’s especially true here in the U.S.
Brittney Griner is part of all of those communities because she’s a tall, gay, tattoed, basketball-playing, dreadlocks-having, unapologetic Black woman.
She’s everything Putin’s regime hates and would love to make an example out of.
People like Brittney have been left behind and shunned for too long.
So as she sits in a Russian jail cell, let’s all ensure that she’s not left behind or forgotten.
