It has been more than nine months since WNBA star Brittney Griner was first detained in Russia back in February. The Phoenix Mercury center has recently begun her nine-year sentence in the IK-2 penal colony in Russia’s Mordovia. As Griner adjusts amid the horrors of squalid conditions, poor infrastructure and inhumane treatment in her penal colony, her family, friends, and colleagues have been religiously advocating for her return. Recently, WNBA legend Breanna Stewart’s repeated appeals about Brittney Griner’s release to POTUS Joe Biden have led to mixed reactions among fans on Twitter.
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Stewart has been advocating for Brittney Griner‘s return on social media for months. She tweets religiously every day, reminding the world about the detention of her fellow WNBA star in Russia. The two-time WNBA champ played in the Russian women’s basketball league from 2018-22. She also played alongside Brittney Griner at UMMC Ekaterinburg for two seasons.
Stewart continues to call for the return of Brittney Griner
Stewart recently took to Twitter in support of Britney Griner. She urged the White House and POTUS Joe Biden to bring Griner home as soon as possible.
The Seattle Storm forward wrote, “It has been 278 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse @potus @vp, we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG “
It has been 278 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse @potus @vp , we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG
Stewart claimed that Brittney Griner is ‘wrongfully detained’ in Russia and people are counting on the State Department to bring her home safely and soon.
The Biden Administration is currently negotiating a prisoner swap deal which seems to be the only hope for Griner, with no positive news from the Russian legal system. The State Department has offered convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Brittney Griner and former US marine, Paul Whelan. While the Kremlin has shown hopes of a possible deal, a decision is yet to be finalized.
Fans react to Stewart’s requests
Stewart’s repeated urges have drawn some mixed reactions from the fans. One of the fans wrote,?“OMG how many times you going to post this??”
Omg how many times you going to post this??
Here are some of the reactions from fans.
278 DAYS TOO MANY. #FreeBrittneyGriner
POTUS is definitely delivering for BG
#FreeBrittneyGriner Stop the rhetoric and Get her home! @POTUS @VP @WhiteHouse
It’s been 278 days since you’ve been tweeting a false statement
Maybe she should follow the law
How about an out cry for ever other American being held for breaking a Foreign countries laws? No just Brittany cause she’s in the wnba. Got it
I’d like to see her back but “wrongfully detained “ is incorrect
Many fans came in support of Breanna Stewart’s tweet and showcased solidarity in support of Brittney Griner. On the other hand, several fans advocated against Stewart’s claims, urging her to stop her repeated requests.
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Despite the divided opinions, there is a strong wind in favor of Griner’s release. Hopefully, the US government will find a way to bring the WNBA star home soon.