By WNBA star Brittney Griner is returning to the United States. Despite reports of Griner’s involvement in a drug case, a spokesperson for her team said she had not yet been sentenced. The WNBA announced that a decal with her initials and the number 42 would be installed on all the WNBA’s courts.
Paul Whelan released from prison on espionage charges
WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian prison after being swapped for a U.S. citizen serving a sentence for espionage. It was the second prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia this year.
The first occurred in April when former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed was released in exchange for jailed pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko. The Griner-Bout swap was also the first time the Biden administration had attempted to negotiate a deal for the two prisoners together. However, the value didn’t go the way they hoped, and Whelan was stuck in a Russian prison.
Whelan’s family has never publicly responded to news of his imprisonment. Instead, they continued to push for his release in the U.S. Senate. This effort included passing a resolution to call Russia to produce credible evidence against Whelan.
Brittney Griner’s relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
WNBA star Brittney Griner has been in prison in Russia since February. She has been charged with drug possession, a felony, with a nine-year sentence. President Barack Obama has ordered the Administration to improve the treatment of Griner in prison. He said that the case was “unacceptable.” He also pledged to get Griner back home. The United States has imposed severe sanctions on Russia. Despite the pressure, the Russian government has refused to release Griner.
Griner’s trial has begun. She was found guilty of smuggling drugs into Russia. The prosecution claimed she brought cannabis oil into the country in a vape canister. However, Griner said the canisters were brought into the country unintentionally. Griner is serving a sentence in the IK-2 penal colony in Mordovia. The settlement condition is considered inhumane, and some inmates have reported beatings and intimidation.
A WNBA decal with Griner’s initials and No. 42 jersey number will be installed on every court
WNBA is honouring former Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner with floor decals featuring her initials and her number 42 on the sidelines of all 12 team courts during the season. The decal will be installed starting with the team’s opening game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The WNBA announced the honour Tuesday. The league’s office is working with the U.S. government to secure Griner’s release.
The WNBA plans to keep the campaign for Griner’s freedom alive throughout the 2022 season. The league will recognize the importance of Griner’s importance and honour her legacy by placing a special logo on every WNBA court. Several WNBA stars have spoken out in support of her. In the past, players have played overseas to earn extra money. During the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, players wore a BG42 jersey to support Griner.
Brittney Griner’s sentence for drugs possession
WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony in Russia for drug possession. She was found guilty of carrying less than one gram of hashish oil, or cannabis, into the country. Her legal team has ten days to appeal.
The defence team, which argued that the analysis of the hashish was inaccurate, questioned the rigour of the evidence and said Griner did not intend to break the law. The lawyer also emphasized Griner’s contributions to the Yekaterinburg WNBA team.
Griner was detained in Russia before the war in Ukraine. The Biden administration had offered to release her and another American in exchange for the former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, but Whelan was not included in the final prisoner swap.
Brittney Griner on a plane heading home to the U.S
WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from russian prison on Thursday as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Griner was imprisoned in Iran for nearly nine years.
The Russian government had previously rebuffed attempts to free Griner, but U.S. officials had expressed hope that a deal could be struck before the end of the year. Last week, a top Russian official said a deal was possible.
Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to Griner on Wednesday and praised administration officials for their efforts. They also expressed “overjoy” about the release. The White House said Griner was in “good health” and would receive medical care in San Antonio.
After the exchange, the United Arab Emirates helped facilitate the Griner’s return to the U.S. She was scheduled to land in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday. She will be accompanied by her wife, Cherelle, who is a member of the U.S. Congress.
