-
Michel VoebelESPN.com
The US congressman who performed soccer at Baylor is amongst these involved concerning the well-being of Britney Grenier, who’s being held in Russia on drug expenses. Colin Allred (D-Texas) on Wednesday spoke about Greiner, who performed for the Baylor ladies’s basketball group from 2009-2013 and was with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for 9 seasons.
Allred stated Griner, who additionally performed for UMMC Ekaterinburg, was arrested whereas getting into Russia on February 17.
“My workplace is in touch with the State Division, and we’re working with them to determine the easiest way ahead,” stated Allred, a member of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee. “I do know the administration is working actually exhausting to attempt to attain it and attempt to be useful right here. However clearly that is additionally occurring within the context of actually strained relationships. I believe it is actually uncommon that we have not been given entry to it from our embassy and consular companies.
“The Russian prison justice system may be very completely different from ours, very opaque. We do not have a lot perception into the place she is within the course of in the intervening time. However she’s been in custody for 3 weeks now, which may be very worrying.”
Allred famous two different instances of People imprisoned in Russia in recent times. Trevor Reid was arrested in 2019 after Russian authorities stated he resisted arrest and attacked officers. Paul Whelan was arrested in 2018 for espionage. Each males are former US Marines and have disputed the costs. Learn was sentenced to 9 years in jail and Whelan 16.
“So this isn’t the primary time in recent times that an American has been arrested after which detained both with out trigger or with out satisfactory clarification,” Alread stated. “Clearly the completely different factor right here is Britney is a really high-profile athlete, and that occurs throughout the warfare that Russia began in Ukraine, which we’re very against what they’re doing.
“Normally that is carried out by way of our embassy or consular companies within the nation. It is usually true that we’re withdrawing a few of our embassy employees in Moscow, and the State Division has requested all People in Russia to depart. However I don’t suppose it will have an effect on their potential to defend on its behalf.”
Allred performed soccer for Baylor from 2001-2005 and was within the NFL for 4 seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Griner led Baylor to the 2012 NCAA Championships and was a high choose within the 2013 WNBA Draft. She has received gold medals with the US at two Olympics and the Basketball World Cup twice.
“In fact for me, there is a connection to Baylor,” Allred stated. “And in addition being a member of the Overseas Affairs Committee, having not too long ago been to Ukraine and being carefully concerned in our response to Russian aggression there. But additionally the truth that Britney is a good LGBTQ advocate and an icon in some ways.
“I’m certain her lawyer in Russia is working by way of this course of. However each day for anybody who’s detained, particularly overseas, is for all times. I notice that for her family and friends, this have to be a really troublesome time. And for her, I’m certain That uncertainty about what is going on on might be horrible. So, I hope, no matter occurs, we are able to transfer this round rapidly and get her out.”
