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via Getty

via Getty

WNBA star Brittney Griner was transferred to a remote penal colony in Russia on November 9. It happened weeks after a Russian court denied her appeal. The news came as a major shock to BG’s supporters, who constantly have been rooting for her safe return. Griner has been stuck in Russia for over eight months now. A Russian court under drug possession charges sentenced her to nine years in prison.?

The news about Griner’s transfer to an unknown penal colony is so agonizing that even former NATO official Rose Gottemoeller felt horrified about it.?

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Griner’s attorneys revealed on November 9 that she was being transferred to an unknown penal colony in Russia. However, details about the penal colony have not been revealed to her attorneys or the US ambassadors in Russia. The Russian penal colonies are notoriously infamous for their inhumane conditions and ruthless labor camps. Unfortunately, Brittney Griner will be serving her sentence in one such penal colony. Her only hope now is the State Department.

Former NATO Official feels for Brittney Griner

Gottemoeller recently shared her feelings about Brittney Griner’s recent penal colony transfer in a recent tweet. The 69-year-old served as Deputy Secretary General of NATO from 2016 to 2019. She also served in a reputable position at the US State Department.

READ MORE: Midterm Elections Buzz Paused by Surprise Brittney Griner Statement From White House

Rose Gottemoeller seemed to be affected by the recent news about Griner. She hoped that the government’s constant efforts to secure her return would yield fruitful results soon. Gottemoeller wrote,?“Horrifying news from Moscow about Brittney Griner’s transfer to an undetermined penal colony. I hope the ongoing work to secure her and Paul Whelan’s release yields results soon.”

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The former NATO official was disappointed by how Griner was being treated in Russia and hoped for her return.?

President Biden speaks out after Griner’s transfer

POTUS Joe Biden also gave out a reassuring statement hours after BG’s transfer to an unknown penal colony. He further hoped that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would finally take the prisoner swap negotiations seriously as the elections were over. The Biden Administration offered a prisoner swap for Griner and Whelan in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. But, Russian officials have not responded yet.

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Thus, the lack of response from the Kremlin has been quite frustrating for the eight-time All-Star. However, Biden claimed he was dedicated to securing Griner’s safe release.