Cierra Lemott 
American basketball star Brittney Griner is still behind bars after being detained at a Russian airport on drug smuggling charges back in February.
Despite the toll that being behind bars in a foreign country is taking on Griner, there has been no rush to release her from the Moscow prison.
Offers of a prisoner swap have been introduced but have yet to actually happen. President Biden has been involved and said he’s willing to discuss Griner’s release with Putin the next time they meet.
A statement was released on the basketball player’s 32nd birthday where she thanked those who have attempted to get her back to the United States.
“All the support and love are definitely helping me,” Griner said in the statement.
Brittney Griner releases message on her 32nd birthday (in a statement shared by her lawyer):
“Thank you everyone for fighting so hard to get me home. All the support and love are definitely helping me.”— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) October 18, 2022
Hopefully, agreements are reached that result in Griner safely returning home soon.
By Cierra Lemott, Junior, Columbia College Chicago
Instagram: @cece.kodak / @kodakscamera
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