It's time to talk about Brittney Griner, a former WNBA star who pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges. She was arrested in Russia in 2016 and later sentenced to nine years in prison. Before she became famous, Griner was a high school star who led the United States women's basketball team to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Griner's latest conviction is unfortunate, but Griner has made a good choice and has already begun her prison sentence.
WNBA player brittney griner pleaded guilty drug smuggling
The WNBA star was taken into custody in February. She pleaded guilty for drug smuggling. She was sentenced for three years and will serve the remainder of her sentence in Russian prison. Griner admitted to being involved in smuggling drugs. But, Griner insisted that she never intended to violate the law.
She was detained in Russia in 2016
Griner's international fame has not stopped her from being heard. Her supporters have called for her release, but her husband and team have stayed quiet. They said that they had no "political understanding" of Griner’s detention. Russian authorities have a strict anti-drug culture. Griner was arrested, which has made her very embarrassed, and the WNBA didn't do anything to support her.
She led the United States' women's basketball team in winning the Rio Olympics.
Griner has won multiple gold medals despite being only twenty-one years old. Griner was a member of the USA women’s hockey team in Rio de Janeiro. The gold medal match saw them defeat Spain 101-72. She was also awarded a gold medal in FIBA World Cup 2011. She has been honored with numerous national and international honors since then.
She was sentenced with nine years imprisonment
Griner has been declared a "wrongfully detained" American government is trying to get Griner back. Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador for the United Nations has been given this task. Richardson is an experienced hostage negotiator and will immediately start working to bring Griner home. 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.
Her fate now rests on diplomatic talks between Russia and the U.S.
Griner was still in detention on Thursday as her family searches for an exchange. Since June, diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. & Russia are ongoing. Griner's Russian legal action is being ignored domestically but it is not likely that she will be able to seek a presidential pardon. In the meantime, Griner's fate is largely in the hands of the Russian government.