Justin Bieber is among the famous faces expressing shock and dismay at the arrest of American basketball player Brittney Griner in Russia.
He took to social media to offer to help the athlete get home after she received a nine-year prison sentence for bringing cannabis oil into Russia.
Writing on his Instagram story, the 28-year-old singer said: “This is painful.
“If anyone knows how I can help, please let me know.”
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US basketball star Griner, 31, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Thursday (Evgenia Novozhenina/AP)
Griner, 31, a two-time US Olympic champion who competed for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was sentenced by judge Anna Sotnikova on Thursday.
Other celebrities reacting to the news include Jada Pinkett Smith, Mia Farrow and rapper 50 Cent.
Pinkett Smith wrote: “On the same day we demanded justice for Breonna (Taylor)… I discovered that Brittney Griner had just spent nine years in Russia #FreeBrittney.”
Actress Farrow said the news was “heartbreaking”.
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Other celebrities reacting to the news include Jada Pinkett Smith (Anthony Devlin/PA)
“Russian judge ignored everything Britney Griner claimed,” she tweeted.
He sentenced her to 9 years in a ‘criminal colony’ for carrying two vaping cartridges, which were medically prescribed.
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“Damn it. So sad”.
50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, said: “That’s a myth, smh (shakes head).”
“You never want to get caught up in politics, They would tell her like 10 years for a vape pen, see.”
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/justin-bieber-among-celebrities-shocked-by-russias-jailing-of-brittney-griner-41891202.html Justin Bieber among celebrities shocked as Russia jails Brittney Griner