“Woke” WNBA star Brittney Griner has been officially transferred from jail to a brutal Russian forced labor camp, according to reports.
The transfer from a regular prison to a penal colony is a move Griner’s family and friends have dreaded since her conviction.
The hope was Democrat President Joe Biden’s negotiators could get her out before she was moved.
However, Russian authorities claim Biden has been uninterested in negotiating behind the scenes.
According to Griner’s lawyers, the transfer began Friday and they no longer know where she is or to what penal colony she is heading.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said:
“Every minute that Brittney Griner must endure wrongful detention in Russia is a minute too long.
“As the Administration continues to work tirelessly to secure her release, the president has directed the administration to prevail on her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be forced to endure in a penal colony.
“In the subsequent weeks, despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. Government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with the Russians through all available channels.
“The U.S. Government is unwavering in its commitment to its work on behalf of Brittney and other Americans detained in Russia — including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan.”
As the Administration continues to work tirelessly to secure her release, the President has directed the Administration to prevail on her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be forced to endure in a penal colony.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) November 9, 2022
In the subsequent weeks, despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. Government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with the Russians through all available channels.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) November 9, 2022
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said:
“Our primary concern continues to be BG’s health and well-being.
“As we work through this very difficult phase of not knowing exactly where BG is or how she is doing, we ask for the public’s support in continuing to write letters and express their love and care for her.
“We are thankful for everyone’s support, and hope that as we near nine months of detention, that BG and all wrongfully detained Americans will be shown mercy and returned home to their families for the holidays.”
Griner’s representatives said in a statement:
“Neither Brittney’s family, including her wife Cherelle or her Russian legal team will have any further statements or press availability at this time.”
Thinking endlessly about Brittney Griner. Two weeks of unknown whereabouts en route to a Russian penal colony possible in Siberia. I just can’t. She was just minding her business. 💔
— Lisa Lucas (@likaluca) November 9, 2022
