Hollywood stars reacted with outrage on Thursday because it was revealed Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for bringing a marijuana pen into the nation in February.
Justin Bieber, Mia Farrow, and Andy Cohen had been among the many celebrities expressing their displeasure in numerous social media posts made shortly after information of the sentencing broke.
‘THIS HURTS,’ Bieber, 28, posted an his Instagram Tales. ‘If anybody is aware of of anyway I might help please let me know.’
Farrow, 77, known as the decision ‘heartbreaking’ as she tweeted: ‘The Russian choose ignored every little thing Britney Griner had acknowledged. He sentenced her to 9 years in a “penal colony”. For carrying 2 vaping cartridges – medically prescribed. Rattling. Heartbreaking.’
‘This hurts’: Hollywood stars reacted with outrage on Thursday because it was revealed Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for bringing a marijuana pen into the nation in February
In the meantime, Cohen tweeted in all caps, ‘BRING BRITTNEY HOME.’ He added an American flag and prayer palms emoji.
Monty Python actor Eric Idle tweeted: ‘Brittney Griner: Basketball star jailed for 9 years on drug expenses.
‘So for invading a neighbor nation that might be about 90,000 years for Putin on the identical scale.’
Creator Greg Olear tweeted: ‘Brittney Griner is a hostage. That is kidnapping, sanctioned by Putin’s authorities.’
Jada Pinkett Smith additionally confirmed her assist for Brittney as she referenced the most recent developments within the Breonna Taylor case.
‘On the identical day the place we lastly bought some Justice for Breonna… I discover out that Brittney Griner simply bought 9 years in Russia,’ she posted. She added a ‘Free Brittney’ hashtag and several other damaged coronary heart emojis.
Standing up for Brittney: Bieber and Mia Farrow had been among the many celebs standing up for the athlete
Disbelief: Mia Farrow known as the decision ‘heartbreaking’
Viola Davis was additionally in shock over the decision. ‘No phrases. The scales of justice simply broke down. In 9 years she is not going to even be capable to return to basketball…for a VAPE!!!!! (damaged coronary heart emoji) #FreeBrittneyGriner,’ she posted to Instagram.
Not everybody shared the identical views, nevertheless, with comic Tim Younger writing: ‘Brittney Griner is just not a political prisoner… she carried medication that had been unlawful together with her in Russia and was arrested – there’s nothing “political”about that.’
Griner, an WNBA star, was discovered responsible of drug smuggling on Thursday by a choose who rejected her declare she unintentionally introduced the medication in. Prosecutors had requested that she be jailed for nine-and-a-half years, six months lower than the utmost of 10 years in jail.
Griner, an WNBA star, was discovered responsible of drug smuggling on Thursday by a choose who rejected her declare she unintentionally introduced the medication in
‘Free Brittney’: Jada Pinkett Smith additionally confirmed her assist for Brittney as she referenced the most recent developments within the Breonna Taylor case
‘No phrases’: Viola Davis was additionally in shock over the decision
President Biden instantly denounced the sentence and claimed she was ‘wrongfully detained’ – regardless of her pleading responsible. She stated it was an ‘sincere mistake’ and that the medication should have ended up in her bag ‘accidentally’.
In an announcement instantly after the sentencing, Biden stated: ‘Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I name on Russia to launch her instantly so she may be together with her spouse, family members, associates, and teammates.’
He stated he would proceed to work ‘tirelessly’ to pursue ‘each doable avenue’ to deliver her and Paul Whelan – one other American imprisoned in Russia – house.
Griner, 31, was arrested on the airport in Moscow in February and has been incarcerated ever since, regardless of failed makes an attempt from the White Home to barter her launch.
Monty Python actor Eric Idle was amongst these expressing their displeasure on the verdict
Creator Greg Olear tweeted: ‘Brittney Griner is a hostage. That is kidnapping, sanctioned by Putin’s authorities’
On Thursday, she sat within the defendant’s cage contained in the courtroom all through the proceedings, counting on an interpreter to whisper to her every little thing the choose stated.
Earlier than the sentence was handed down, she begged for leniency and requested the courtroom to think about her good character.
A choose accepted her plea – discovering her responsible on drug possession and smuggling. They dominated that she dedicated the crimes purposefully – which she has denied.
She stated she didn’t need to be thought of a political pawn, and that bringing the hashish pen into the nation was a easy, ‘sincere mistake’.
‘Russia grew to become my second house. I keep in mind vividly popping out of the health club and all of the little ladies popping out and ready on me. That is what saved making me come again right here.
‘I need to apologize to my teammates, my membership and town for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I introduced.
Talking up: Andy Cohen tweeted in all caps, ‘BRING BRITTNEY HOME’
Not everybody shared the identical views, nevertheless, with comic Tim Younger writing: ‘Brittney Griner is just not a political prisoner… she carried medication that had been unlawful together with her in Russia and was arrested – there’s nothing “political”about that’
‘I need to additionally apologize to my mother and father, my siblings, Phoenix Mercury, the wonderful ladies of the WNBA and my wonderful partner again at house.
‘I by no means meant to harm anyone, I by no means meant to place in jeopardy the Russian inhabitants, I by no means meant to interrupt any legal guidelines.
‘I made an sincere mistake and I hope that your ruling does not finish my life. I do know everyone retains speaking about political pawn and politics…however I hope that it’s miles from this courtroom.
‘I had no intent on breaking Russian legislation. I didn’t conspire or plan to commit this crime.
‘I hope you may take into consideration all of the paperwork, the character lists which were despatched in on my behalf.
Griner was held in a cell whereas her authorized staff sat at a desk surrounding her. She needed to depend on an interpreter to relay what the choose stated
Griner holds up a staff photograph exhibiting her taking part in with UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian staff she spent off-seasons with to bolster her WNBA earnings
‘That is my second house. All I needed to do was win championships and make them proud,’ she stated. The State Division had been in talks to safe Griner’s launch as a part of a deal that might additionally deliver imprisoned American Paul Whelan house.
The deal has been on the desk for weeks, however Russia is but to agree.
US officers is not going to verify stories that it consists of releasing Viktor Boult, a Russian legal often called the ‘service provider of demise’.
Throughout closing arguments on Thursday, her attorneys pleaded for leniency.
‘In sprinting there’s Usain Bolt, in Components 1 Michael Schumacher, and in ladies’s basketball there’s Brittney Griner,’ her lawyer Maria Blagovolina stated.
Griner was led into the courtroom in handcuffs. She has been incarcerated since February
Griner shaking palms together with her lawyer Alexander Boykov, proper. Deputy Chief of Mission on the US Embassy in Moscow, Elizabeth Rood, is proven, left
Blagovolina, a associate at Rybalkin Gortsunyan Dyakin and Companions legislation agency, stated that ought to the courtroom deems it essential to punish her, Griner must be be handled leniently.
Griner’s household say they’ve been pissed off with the White Home response to the scenario.
White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre instructed reporters Monday that Russia has made a ‘unhealthy religion’ response to the US authorities’s provide, a counteroffer that American officers do not regard as critical.
She declined to elaborate.
Griner has acknowledged there have been vape canisters containing hashish oil in her baggage when she was arrested at a Moscow airport.
However she insisted that she had no legal intent and that the canisters ended up in her baggage as a result of she was packing swiftly.
‘I nonetheless do not perceive how they ended up in my bag,’ she stated.
Griner had been prescribed medical marijuana in the US to alleviate ache from continual accidents, a therapy technique that’s widespread amongst elite athletes as a result of it has fewer negative effects than some painkillers.
She performed for a Russian ladies’s basketball staff within the WNBA low season.
As a part of the deal, the White Home proposed swapping Whelan and Griner, however not Mark Fogel – a instructor who was incarcerated in Russia in 2021 on suspicion of drug smuggling.
His household have begged the Biden administration for assist. Many have known as for Griner’s launch on the premise that marijuana is authorized within the US.