Brittney Griner received a great deal of support from the US government, the media, and human rights groups throughout the country during her detention in Russia. The constant attention on Griner’s ordeal played a crucial role in the release of the WNBA star. After nearly ten months in Russia, Griner was freed as part of a prisoner swap deal involving notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. However, an American woman, who was recently released from a similar situation in Russia, has called out the release of Griner while condemning the government for their lack of support.

The American citizen in discussion is Sarah Krivanek, a Fresno resident who was sentenced to 15 months in a penal colony under domestic assault charges. Krivanek was detained in February and was finally deported by Russia on December 8, the same day that the WNBA star was freed. Recently, she expressed her frustrations towards the US government for leaving her alone in Russia.

Krivanek condemns the US government for their disparity in treatment

In a recent interview with ABC, Sarah Krivanek expressed her happiness on the release of Brittney Griner. However, she simultaneously called out the lack of efforts from the State Department to secure her release. Moreover, Krivanek also pointed out the disparity in treatment regarding her and Brittney Griner’s case. The State Department didn’t even classify her as ‘wrongfully detained’ like Griner.

She was also kept in a holding cell after her release from detainment as her VISA had expired. Krivanek was disappointed that the US authorities did not help her out during such a horrific situation.

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The lack of support from the US government left Krivanek wondering about the value of her citizenship and her dedication to the nation. Sarah Krivanek stated, “It feels like my citizenship, my patriotism meant absolutely nothing. They might as well have left me there. They completely threw out the fact that another US citizen was going through suffering with no support.”

Krivanek called out the State Department’s actions, claiming that she was left ‘there to rot’. She shared that the US authorities told her that a US representative would come to see her in the penal colony. However, she suggested that nobody ever came to see how she was doing all alone.

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In response, the State Department clarified that Krivanek was provided consular support throughout her struggles in Russia. Meanwhile, Krivanek stressed upon the fact that all American citizens should receive the same level of assistance from the government. irrespective of their status and socio-political standing.

Krivanek on the release of Brittney Griner

During the interview, Sarah Krivanek said she was glad that Griner was released from Russia. She also claimed to have written a motivational letter to Griner during her detention.

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Moreover, Krivanek said she felt sorry for BG and was genuinely happy after hearing the news about the prisoner swap. However, Krivanek was quite unhappy about the lack of support from the US during her incarceration in Russia.