Brittney griner, a former WNBA-star who pleaded guilty on drug smuggling charges, is the subject of this article. She was arrested in Russia in 2016 and later sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner, a former high school star, was the leader of the United States women’s basketball team to Rio Olympics 2016. 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 to drug smuggling
The WNBA player, who was detained in February, pleaded guilty. She was sentenced three years in prison. The remainder of her sentence will be served in a Russian prison. Griner admitted in her guilty plea that she was involved smuggling drugs. However, she insisted that she did not intend on breaking the law.
In 2016, she was detained in Russia.
Griner was not silenced by her arrest despite her international celebrity. Her supporters have called for her release, but her husband and team have stayed quiet. 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 been a source of great embarrassment for her, and the WNBA has done little to help.
She was the leader of the United States women's team basketball to victory at the Rio Olympics
Griner, despite her young age has won many gold medals. She was part of the USA women’s team basketball in Rio de Janeiro where they defeated Spain 101-72 for the gold medal. She was also awarded a gold medal in FIBA World Cup 2011. 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 years in prison
Griner has been declared a "wrongfully detained" American government is trying to get Griner back. Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson has been assigned to help. Richardson is an experienced hostage negotiator and will immediately start working to bring Griner home. 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 are being respected and Griner is being given more access by the State Department.
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. 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 rests largely in Russia's hands.