WNBA star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17. Her arrest, incarceration and the fight to bring her home has triggered extensive questions The Times asked an array of experts to help answer.
Her arrest, incarceration and the fight to bring her home has triggered extensive questions The Times asked an array of experts to help answer.Griner, who led the Phoenix Mercury to a WNBA championship in 2014, earned seven All-Star appearances and led the league in scoring twice , is a 6-foot-9 Baylor alum. She is a two-time WNBA defensive player of the year and two-time Olympic gold medalist. She is often referred to as"BG" by friends and teammates.
The other red flag is reports by several state-owned Russian news outlets stating the country wants to engage in a prisoner swap with the U.S."You don't exchange prisoners if it's a normal criminal proceeding," Gilbert said. "It is precisely why we have characterized Brittney Griner as a wrongful detainee," Price said."It is precisely why we are doing everything we can to see and to effect her prompt release from Russian detention."U.S. officials first saw Griner on March 23, more than a month after she was arrested, and"found her to be in good condition," according Price.
Paul Whelan, a fellow American wrongfully detained in Russia, has been in custody since 2018. Siamak Namazi has been wrongfully detained in Iran since 2015. Iranian officials arrested his father, Baquer, while he was in Iran to visit his imprisoned son in 2016. The elder Namazi also remains in custody.Nneka Ogwumike, a Sparks forward and president of the WNBA Player's Association also represented by Colas, told The Times Griner's supporters are calling on the U.S.
"Yes, I'm an American, but they don't see me as a messenger of the American government. But they see me as somebody they've dealt with before, so they deal with me," Richardson told host Bryant Gumbel."But it was President Biden that made the ultimate decision for the prisoner exchange — Trevor Reed for [Russian pilot and convicted drug smuggler Konstantin] Yaroshenko.
Griner's high profile might complicate her case. Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer dubbed the"Merchant of Death," who has been imprisoned in the U.S. since 2008 reportedly may be the person Russian officials want released in exchange for the basketball star. "It was on the advice of the State Department and many, many experts to have it be muted early and that was really just out of respect for BG's safety," Colas said.
Colas suggests rallying behind Griner would start new conversations about diversity and identity, in addition to bringing her home.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US basketball star Brittney Griner due in Russian courtMore than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, American basketball star Brittney Griner is to appear in court Monday ahead of her trial.
Read more »
Brittney Griner Is a Rallying Cry for the LGBTQ+ CommunityOPINION | Brittney Griner's case should galvanize fans, public officials, and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations to use their voices to fight against marijuana prohibition, a policy that’s rooted in racism and homophobia
Read more »
Rep. Stanton's resolution pushing to free Brittney Griner passes HouseA resolution calling on the Russian Federation to release Phoenix Mercury basketball star Brittney Griner passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
Read more »
Long-awaited anniversary phone call between Brittney Griner and wife goes unansweredBrittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, attempted to call her wife 11 times on their anniversary, but the U.S. Embassy in Moscow never picked up the call. — via TheGrowthOp cannabiscommunity cannabisculture cannabisnews
Read more »
US Basketball Star Brittney Griner Due in Russian CourtMore than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, American basketball star Brittney Griner is to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing ahead of her trial.
Read more »
US basketball star Brittney Griner due in Russian courtMore than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, American basketball star Brittney Griner is to appear in court Monday ahead of her trial.
Read more »