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“I wish 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 mentioned in her assertion. “I wish to additionally apologize to my mother and father, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury group again at dwelling, the superb girls of the WNBA, and my superb partner again at dwelling.”
Responding to her sentence, President Joe Biden slammed Russia for “wrongfully detaining” Griner, saying he would “pursue each doable avenue” to carry her dwelling.
“It’s unacceptable, and I name on Russia to launch her instantly so she might be together with her spouse, family members, pals, and teammates,” Biden mentioned in a assertion. “My administration will proceed to work tirelessly and pursue each doable avenue to carry Brittney and Paul Whelan dwelling safely as quickly as doable.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver additionally launched a joint assertion condemning the decision.
“At the moment’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unlucky, however not surprising and Brittney Griner stays wrongly detained,” they mentioned. “The WNBA and NBA’s dedication to her protected return has not wavered and it’s our hope that we’re close to the top of this technique of lastly bringing BG dwelling 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 carry them to Russia, the place she was taking part in 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 mentioned she was “terrified” she could be held in a Russian jail perpetually.
“I notice you’re coping with a lot, however please don’t overlook about me and the opposite American Detainees,” she mentioned. “Please do all you’ll be able to to carry us dwelling.”
Colas, Griner’s agent, mentioned they appreciated the Biden administration’s efforts to carry basketball star and Whelan again to the US.
“Bringing Brittney and Paul house is the only goal, and as such, we should always use all accessible instruments,” Colas mentioned. “We should stay targeted and unified. It is a time for compassion and a shared understanding that getting a deal performed to carry Individuals dwelling will likely be arduous, however it’s pressing and it’s the proper factor to do.”
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