Brittney Griner is a former WNBA superstar who pleaded guilty drug smuggling. In 2016, Griner was arrested in Russia. She was sentenced to nine year imprisonment. Griner was a high school basketball star who led the United States women 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 at 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.
In 2016, she was detained in Russia.
Griner was not silenced by her arrest despite her international celebrity. Griner's supporters called for her release but her husband and her team remained silent. In a statement they stated they don't have "political information" regarding Griner’s arrest. The Russian government has a harsh anti-drug culture. Griner's arrest caused her great embarrassment and the WNBA did not support her.
She led the United States women's basketball team to victory in 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. She also won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in 2011. She has been honored with numerous national and international honors since then.
She was sentenced at the age of nine to prison
Griner was declared "wrongfully detained" by the U.S. government, and it is now working to return her. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador at the United Nations, has been designated to assist. Richardson has years of experience as a hostage negotiator. He will immediately begin to work to get Griner returned. Griner had been in the care a consular agent, and that officer visited her May 19 to report that Griner was well and doing well in spite of the difficulties. The State Department is now seeking more access to Griner to ensure that she is treated with the respect she deserves and that her rights are respected.
Now, her fate depends on the outcome of diplomatic negotiations between Russia and the U.S.
Griner is still being held as of Thursday while her family attempts to arrange an exchange. Since June, diplomatic talks between the U.S. government and Russia have been going on. Griner's Russian legal actions against her are not relevant domestically. However, they will not prevent her from seeking a presidential Pardon. Griner's fate lies in the hands largely of the Russian government.