Update 08/23/2022 12:52pm:
Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for drug charges, and it was noted the WNBA star’s legal team filed an appeal. Along with that, U.S. and Russian diplomats have been in talks related to a possible prisoner swap. From there, news surfaced noting Dennis Rodman was reportedly set to head over to Russia to help with the release of Griner. Now, Rodman has shut down that move, according to reports.
On Monday (August 22), the U.S. government issued a statement discouraging the former NBA star from heading to Russia to help with the release of Griner. Since then, Rodman noted the trip to Russia was not happening, in a separate statement.
While speaking to NBC News, Rodman previously said “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl. I’m trying to go this week.” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said “[Rodman] would not be traveling on behalf of the U.S. government” if he did head to Russia. Stay tuned for more updates.
source: ABC News
Original 08/21/2022 3:56pm:
According to reports, former NBA star Dennis Rodman is planning on heading to Russia to help negotiate the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner.
Griner was previously sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges, and the player’s legal team filed for an appeal. It was reported that Russian and U.S. diplomats have been discussing possible prisoner exchanges. While speaking to NBC News, Rodman said, “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl. I’m trying to go this week.” When speaking about Vladimir Putin, Rodman said, “I know Putin too well.” Stay tuned for more updates.
source: NBC News
Original 08/15/2022 11:36am:
Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison following being convicted for smuggling drugs into Russia. Griner’s lawyer has spoken to CNN and said they are filing an appeal for the WNBA star. News of this comes days after the Russian government confirmed for the first time that there were discussions of a possible prisoner swap for Griner, which also involved a convicted Russian arms dealer.
The United States has maintained that Griner was wrongfully detained. Russian Foreign Ministry’s North American Director Alexander Darchiev spoke on the possible swap to Russian state media TASS this past Saturday.
“This quite sensitive issue of the swap of convicted Russian and US citizens is being discussed through the channels defined by our Presidents. These individuals are, indeed, being discussed. The Russian side has long been seeking the release of Viktor Bout. The details should be left to professionals, proceeding from the 'do not harm' principle,” said Darchiev. Stay tuned for more updates.
source: CNN
Original 08/04/2022 1:25pm:
WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison Thursday (August 4) at the conclusion of her trial in Russia after bringing cannabis into the country in February. Judge Anna Sotnikova said she had found that Griner intentionally broke the law, and added that her time served would count toward her sentence.
President Joe Biden reacted to the news of Griner's conviction, stating, "Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates."
US National Security Council Director for Strategic Communications John Kirby also urged Russia to consider the proposal for a prisoner swap with the Russians. Kirby stated, "We urge the Russians, again, to seriously consider that proposal, to act on it. And let’s get these two Americans home where they belong."
