Brittney Griner was a former WNBA player who pleaded guilty in drug smuggling cases. She was later arrested in Russia in 2016 and sentenced for nine years. Griner, who was a high school athlete and led the United States women's team to Rio Olympics 2016, was before she became famous. Griner's unfortunate turn in Griner's tale is disappointing, but Griner has made a smart decision and has begun her sentence in prison.
WNBA star brittney griner pleaded guilty in drug smuggling
The WNBA's star player was arrested in February and pleaded guilty drug smuggling. She was sentenced to three years in prison and will have to serve the rest of her sentence in a Russian prison. 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 detained in Russia.
Despite her international fame, Griner has not been silenced by her arrest. While Griner's supporters are calling for her release her husband, and their team, have kept silent. 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 to victory in the Rio Olympics
Griner is only 19 years old, but she has already won numerous gold medals. 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 to nine years in prison
Griner has been declared a "wrongfully detained" American government is trying to get Griner back. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador at the United Nations, has been designated to assist. Richardson has extensive hostage negotiation experience, and will immediately get Griner's return. Griner has been in the care of a consular officer, and the consular officer visited her on May 19 and reported that she was doing well under difficult circumstances. Griner's rights are being respected and Griner is being given more access by the State Department.
Her fate now depends on diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Russia
Griner was still in detention on Thursday as her family searches for an exchange. Diplomatic negotiations between Russia and the U.S. have been ongoing since June. While the Russian legal action against Griner seems insignificant domestically it will not stop her from seeking a presidential pardon. In the meantime, Griner's fate is largely in the hands of the Russian government.