Brittney Griner has been transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia recently. The WNBA champion will be serving the rest of her sentence in the isolated location. Amidst this new development, women’s rights activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu has expressed her displeasure with the mainstream media. The British activist recently published an article pointing out the ‘stinging double standard and hypocrisy’ in the Griner case.

The world is well aware by now that Brittney Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo airport for carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her belongings. The incident took place about a week before the Russia-Ukraine war. Griner was sentenced to nine years of prison time in August. Griner had appealed to the court for leniency, but it was rejected on October 25.

British activist calls out the media’s hypocrisy on Brittney Griner

Several days later, the Russian authorities transported her to a penal colony. Ever since her arrest, numerous celebrities have come forth to extend their support to the Phoenix Mercury star. US officials have also announced that they consider Griner’s case to be a priority and would do everything necessary to bring her back. However, according to Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, the media coverage of the Brittney Griner case has significantly decreased.

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In her recent opinion piece, she expressed how Griner’s identity and gender were significant factors behind the media negligence. She added that if a straight, White man were in Griner’s shoes then the media would have done everything in their power to keep the convicted person’s case alive in people’s minds.

“Griner is a Black female openly gay sports person of high repute and a two-time Olympic medallist. Had she been White, male and straight under the same circumstances and same accomplishments, the media would have made every effort to keep this miscarriage of justice and harsh conditions of her imprisonment in a Russian prison at the centre of the public’s mind,” wrote Dr. Shogbamimu.

Griner’s current situation is worrying

Earlier Brittney Griner had stated that convicts who had committed more severe crimes than her were given lesser punishments. Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu clarified that the debate was not whether Griner had broken Russian laws or not since she had already plead guilty to the charges. According to her, Griner’s harsh sentence was a result of political issues between the two countries.

Additionally, she pointed out that Griner is completely alone and vulnerable as a “political prisoner.” The US officials had earlier offered a prisoner exchange program to Russia. They suggested to exchange arms dealer Victor Bout for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

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However, the Russian officials has repeatedly failed to negotiate accordingly. On November 17, Griner’s lawyers confirmed that the Mercury star had reached the Mordovia penal colony.