Brittney griner, a former WNBA champion who pleaded guilty for drug smuggling offenses, is now the topic. In 2016, Griner was arrested in Russia. She was sentenced to nine year imprisonment. Griner was a high-school star who led the United States women’s basketball squad to the Rio Olympics in 2016. Griner's story is not perfect, but Griner made a wise decision and is already in prison.
WNBA star brittney griner pleaded guilty for drug smuggling
The WNBA star was taken into custody in February. She pleaded guilty for drug smuggling. She was sentenced at three years imprisonment and will spend the remainder of her sentence behind bars in a Russian jail. In her guilty plea, Griner acknowledged she was involved in smuggling drugs, but insisted she had no intention of breaking the law.
In 2016, she was taken into custody in Russia.
Griner's international fame has not stopped her from being heard. Griner's supporters called for her release but her husband and her team remained silent. In a statement, they said they do not have "political knowledge" of Griner's arrest. Russian authorities have a strict anti-drug culture. Griner's arrest however has caused her considerable embarrassment. The WNBA has not done anything to help her.
She led the United States' women's basketball team in winning the Rio Olympics.
Griner, despite her young age has won many gold medals. She was a part of the USA women's basketball team in Rio de Janeiro, where they beat Spain 101-72 in the gold medal game. In 2011, she also won a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup. She has won many national and international honors over the years, including All-Tournament Team, Most Valuable Player in Gold Medal Game, and numerous other international honors.
She was sentenced to nine year imprisonment
The U.S. government has declared Griner a "wrongful detainee" and is working to get her back. Bill Richardson (former U.S. ambassador) has been appointed to help. Richardson has years of experience as a hostage negotiator. He will immediately begin to work to get Griner returned. Griner has been under the care and supervision of a consular Officer. On May 19, the consular Officer visited Griner and stated that Griner was doing well, despite being in very difficult circumstances. Griner is currently under the care of the State Department. The consular officer visited her on May 19 and reported that Griner is doing well in difficult circumstances.
Now her fate is dependent on diplomatic negotiations between Russia & the U.S.
Griner is still being held as of Thursday while her family attempts to arrange an exchange. Since June, diplomatic negotiations between Russia's and the U.S. are ongoing. The Russian legal action against Griner is considered irrelevant domestically, but is not likely to stop her from seeking a presidential pardon. Griner's fate will remain in the hands the Russian government for the time being.