Brittney griner, a former WNBA-star who pleaded guilty on drug smuggling charges, is the subject of this article. In 2016, Griner was taken into custody in Russia. 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 story is not perfect, but Griner made a wise decision and is already in prison.
WNBA star brittney griner pleaded guilty to drug smuggling
The WNBA superstar was arrested in February. She pleaded guilty at the time to drug smuggling. She was sentenced to three-years in prison, and she will spend the rest of her sentence at a Russian correctional facility. Griner admitted she was involved in the smuggling of drugs, but claimed she did not intend to violate the law.
She was detained in Russia in 2016
Griner's international fame has not stopped her from being heard. Although Griner's supporters have called for Griner to be released, her husband and team remain silent. In a statement, they claimed they didn't have any political knowledge of Griner’s arrest. Russian government has a strong anti-drug culture. Griner's arrest caused her great embarrassment and the WNBA did not support her.
She was instrumental in leading the United States women’s hockey team to victory in Rio Olympics.
Griner is only 19 years old, but she has already won numerous 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 won a FIBA World Cup gold medal. She has received numerous international and national honors since, including the All-Tournament Team award and the Most Valuable Player award in the Gold Medal Game.
She was sentenced at the age of nine to prison
Griner has been declared a "wrongfully detained" American government is trying to get Griner back. Bill Richardson (former U.S. ambassador) has been appointed to help. Richardson has extensive experience as a hostage negotiator, and will immediately begin working to get Griner back. 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. Griner's rights and dignity are being protected by the State Department.
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 negotiations between Russia's and the U.S. 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.