• Light/Dark
  • Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.

WNBA Player Brittney Griner detained in Russia makes a plea to Biden

Reader mode
CountAntonio

CountAntonio

Member
Oct 25, 2017
21,704
She has been detained by Russian authorities for nearly 140 days after being caught with vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport.

www.cnn.com

'I'm terrified I might be here forever': Brittney Griner pens handwritten letter to Biden

WNBA star Brittney Griner, in a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden, said she fears she will be detained in Russia indefinitely and pleaded with the President not to forget about her and other American detainees.
www.cnn.com www.cnn.com

If you want a summary on her arrest and detainment.

www.sportingnews.com

Brittney Griner detainment, explained: Russia releases Phoenix Mercury star in prisoner swap | Sporting News

Griner was detained in February after the Russian Federal Customs Service claimed it found hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow.
www.sportingnews.com www.sportingnews.com

("As) I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever,

On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year,

I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home."
 
Z-Beat

Z-Beat

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
31,842
Christ, she's still there? feels like an eternity ago I read that she got detained
 
EvilChameleon

EvilChameleon

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,793
Ohio
Have Biden and crew even been asked about her since this started? What was their response? Feels like we haven't even heard a boilerplate "we're doing our best".
 
Y2Kev

Y2Kev

Member
Oct 25, 2017
13,838
EvilChameleon said:
Have Biden and crew even been asked about her since this started? What was their response? Feels like we haven't even heard a boilerplate "we're doing our best".
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Yes, very recently even.

thehill.com

White House says WNBA star Brittney Griner case has ‘fullest attention of the president’

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday said that case of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is detained in Russia, has the full attention of President Biden. “It has the fullest…
thehill.com thehill.com

The Russian government just sucks. I hope she gets to come home soon.
 
FantasticMrFoxdie

FantasticMrFoxdie

Banned
Oct 26, 2017
16,409
Mushroom Kingdom
This sounds like a nightmare. i can't imagine how complicated this gets politically

EvilChameleon said:
Have Biden and crew even been asked about her since this started? What was their response? Feels like we haven't even heard a boilerplate "we're doing our best".
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
they have responded and it's good the story is getting traction again on the news since her trial only just recently started
 
El Toporo

El Toporo

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,121
A terrible situation to be in. I'm guessing there is at least a bigger chance she gets out than there is for Paul Whelan.
 
WascallyWabbit

WascallyWabbit

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,399
Wasn't there allegedly a prisoner swap being demanded by Russia?
And the dude who they wanted was like a convicted arms dealer?
 
FF Seraphim

FF Seraphim

Member
Oct 26, 2017
13,701
Tokyo
Trey said:
her name is Brittney Griner, not "wnba player"
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Don't both articles op posted mention her name?
Plus I think OP is going for overall context so people would be more interested in looking into the story.

Anyway, I highly doubt she will be freed any time soon. Russia is using her as a political prisoner to get something from the US.
 
EricTheGamerman

EricTheGamerman

Banned
Aug 12, 2019
5,159
She's a political prisoner at this point in the same way Otto Warmbier was in North Korea. Hopefully her story has a happier ending than his, but she's a hostage of a geopolitical standoff and neither side will risk looking weak in this situation so she's not going anywhere.
 
poklane

poklane

Member
Oct 25, 2017
27,900
the Netherlands
She's definitely a political prison held on bullshit charges with Russia wanting something in return for her release. If she was guilty they would have convicted her ages ago already, you don't exactly get a lengthy, fair trial in a country like Russia.
 
Bessy67

Bessy67

Member
Oct 29, 2017
11,572
Such a terrible situation. Russia will likely demand concessions in order to release her, and I don't see the US being willing to make such concessions for one person.
 
mreddie

mreddie

Member
Oct 26, 2017
44,023
Yeah, she sadly became prisoner just as the Russia/Ukraine shit went down and it's likely she'll be used as a bargaining chip.
 
Lunchbox

Lunchbox

ƃuoɹʍ ʇᴉ ƃuᴉop ǝɹ,noʎ 'ʇɥƃᴉɹ sᴉɥʇ pɐǝɹ noʎ ɟI
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
7,548
Rip City
User Banned (1 Week): Victim Blaming
I feel bad for her, honestly, but Russian atrocities are well known & she was taking Russian money to play basketball while we all knew Russia was gonna Invade Ukraine for like 5 months.

The WNBA doesn't pay shit but you gotta be smarter.
 
bruhaha

bruhaha

Banned
Jun 13, 2018
4,122
Tough situation but we definitely should not be exchanging an arms dealer for someone accused of possessing vapes. It will incentivize more detentions in the future.
 
EntelechyFuff

EntelechyFuff

Saw the truth behind the copied door
Member
Nov 19, 2019
10,142
Lunchbox said:
I feel bad for her, honestly, but Russian atrocities are well known & she was taking Russian money to play basketball while we all knew Russia was gonna Invade Ukraine for like 5 months.

The WNBA doesn't pay shit but you gotta be smarter.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I think this is a bit harsh: lots of NA players head to Russian leagues for $$$. There's no reason she would have had to expect that she would be used as THE example over any number of other players, or even US citizens in other professional fields entirely.
 
AuthenticM

AuthenticM

Son Altesse Sérénissime
The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
30,036
when she gets out of there, I hope she gets some form of compensation. I don't care whom it comes from.
 
Watershed

Watershed

Member
Oct 26, 2017
7,811
Lunchbox said:
I feel bad for her, honestly, but Russian atrocities are well known & she was taking Russian money to play basketball while we all knew Russia was gonna Invade Ukraine for like 5 months.

The WNBA doesn't pay shit but you gotta be smarter.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
This is a terrible take. Plenty of American athletes play professionally in other countries including Russia. Not everyone in every profession can tie their career moves to geopolitics and the whims of aggressive nations.

And I'm sure there are foreigners working here in America who have people questioning how they could ever work in a country that illegally detains migrants, strips women of their rights, and do nothing after children are murdered in school shootings like clockwork.
 

Deleted member 10560

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
5,135
It's horrible she is still a hostage of war and hope she is brought home soon. I suppose something like a special ops extraction is more fantasy than reality but you'd think with all the technology and intelligence available to the military that something could be done. They are not going to just let her go.
 
CDX

CDX

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,476
I don't see the US ever giving Russia economic concessions over a single prisoner.

Maybe a prisoner swap. But if Russia is intent on demanding an arms dealer in exchange for a basketball player, it's hard to imagine the US agreeing to that trade. I hope some resolution happens and she's allowed to leave Russia soon.
 
Lunchbox

Lunchbox

ƃuoɹʍ ʇᴉ ƃuᴉop ǝɹ,noʎ 'ʇɥƃᴉɹ sᴉɥʇ pɐǝɹ noʎ ɟI
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
7,548
Rip City
Watershed said:
This is a terrible take. Plenty of American athletes play professionally in other countries including Russia. Not everyone in every profession can tie their career moves to geopolitics and the whims of aggressive nations.

And I'm sure there are foreigners working here in America who have people questioning how they could ever work in a country that illegally detains migrants, strips women of their rights, and do nothing after children are murdered in school shootings like clockwork.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
That's fine, but, you have to accept these risks when you talk to an agent & apply for a work visa.

It's not really a bad take at all, it's just the real world.
 
Update
  • Index
    • OP
    OP
    CountAntonio

    CountAntonio

    Member
    Oct 25, 2017
    21,704
    Update:
    "Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

    Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge."

    www.cnn.com

    Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court | CNN

    Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
    www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
     
  • Index

    • Deleted member 5865

    Banned
    Oct 25, 2017
    3,122
    CountAntonius said:
    "Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

    Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge."

    www.cnn.com

    Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court | CNN

    Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
    www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Fuuuuuck this is so stupid
     
    Culex

    Culex

    Banned
    Oct 29, 2017
    6,844
    Unless there is a prisoner swap, she is going to do up to 10 years. And the Russians want their literal war criminal as a swap.

    It's super unfortunate, but that is not a morally righteous trade.
     
    Josh5890

    Josh5890

    I'm Your Favorite Poster's Favorite Poster
    The Fallen
    Oct 25, 2017
    23,179
    I'm hoping that this is part of a long game plan to get her out asap. I really hope she doesn't have to face 10 years.
     
    Auros01

    Auros01

    Avenger
    Nov 17, 2017
    5,504
    Wow. That's terrible. I can't imagine having to stare a 10 year sentence in the face under such dubious circumstances, especially in a different country than all your family and friends. I hope some sort of resolution presents itself but I'm not holding my breath.
     
    StraySheep

    StraySheep

    Member
    Oct 26, 2017
    8,276
    CountAntonius said:
    Update:
    "Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

    Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge."

    www.cnn.com

    Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court | CNN

    Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
    www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Too add insult to injury Russian diplomats are out there accusing Biden of "formenting hype" around this case, which is complete bullshit.

    Fuck Russia
     
    Deepwater

    Deepwater

    Banned
    Oct 25, 2017
    6,349
    Culex said:
    Unless there is a prisoner swap, she is going to do up to 10 years. And the Russians want their literal war criminal as a swap.

    It's super unfortunate, but that is not a morally righteous trade.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    The United States is in no short supply of war criminals they should give away two if it meant getting Griner back
     
    FTF

    FTF

    Member
    Oct 28, 2017
    28,365
    New York
    CountAntonius said:
    Update:
    "Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

    Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge."

    www.cnn.com

    Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court | CNN

    Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
    www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Fuck why would she do this?? I mean I'm sure she's been working with lawyers and counsel, etc. but damn that's horrible of she gets any serious jail time we should have gotten her out of there by now smdh.
     
    CDX

    CDX

    Member
    Oct 25, 2017
    3,476
    CountAntonius said:
    Update:
    "Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.

    Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge."

    www.cnn.com

    Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russian court | CNN

    Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
    www.cnn.com www.cnn.com
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Maybe now that Russia got a guilty plea, maybe a swap will happen.
     
    Reader mode
    You must log in or register to reply here.