Texas US Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are supporting a resolution saying Brittney Griner was “wrongfully detained” in Russia on charges of transporting drugs and calling for her immediate release.
the resolution was written to match a similar one that already passed the House; it was sponsored by Cornyn and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden from Oregon.
The resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately free Griner, expresses support for the Griner family and calls for the US government to press for Griner’s release at every turn, as well as that of Paul Whelan and “all prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation ” Whelan, a former Marine, is detained in Russia on accusations of espionage.
Griner is accused of carrying vape cartridges that contained hashish oil when she flew into Russia, where she plays professional basketball during the WNBA offseason. The resolution notes that Griner is from Houston, is a superstar basketball player, leads charitable efforts in her community, has twice represented her country in the Olympics and won gold medals and “is a renowned leader in the LGBTQ+ community.”
She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Earlier this month, she acknowledged her guilt of the charges and said that she packed the hashish oil accidentally and it was not her intent to break the law.
Her lawyers in Russian court last week produced a letter from Griner’s doctor prescribing her use of marijuana to treat chronic pain, news outlets reported, showing that she was given permission in Arizona — where she lives — to use the drug.
Several of her teammates on the Russian professional women’s basketball team she plays for during offseasons tested to Griner’s good moral character, in support of leniency in her sentencing.
The quickest route home for Griner would be through a prisoner exchange, which could result from a political negotiation between Washington and Moscow.
ed.mckinley@chron.com