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. Griner was a high-school star who led the United States women’s basketball squad 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 to drug smuggling
The WNBA star was taken into custody in February. She pleaded guilty for drug smuggling. She was sentenced three years in prison. The remainder of her sentence will be served 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.
She was arrested in Russia in 2016.
Griner was not silenced by her arrest despite her international celebrity. While Griner's supporters are calling for her release her husband, and their team, have kept silent. They stated that they did not have any "political knowledge" about Griner's arrest. Russian government is known for its harsh anti-drug culture. Griner's arrest however has caused her considerable embarrassment. The WNBA has not done anything to help her.
She was instrumental in leading the United States women’s hockey team to victory in Rio Olympics.
Despite her young age, Griner has already won several gold medals. Griner was part of the USA women’s basketball team that beat Spain 101-72 in Rio de Janeiro. She also won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in 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 at the age of nine to prison
Griner was declared a "wrongful prisoner" by the U.S. government. They are now trying to get her out. Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador for the United Nations has been given this task. 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. Griner's rights are being respected and Griner is being given more access by the State Department.
Now her fate rests on diplomatic negotiations between Russia, the U.S., and China
Griner remains detained as Griner's family seeks an outright exchange. Diplomatic negotiations between Russia and the U.S. have been ongoing since June. The Russian legal action against Griner is considered irrelevant domestically, but is not likely to stop her from seeking a presidential pardon. In the meantime, Griner's fate is largely in the hands of the Russian government.