BarcelonaBrittney Griner, American star of the Euroleague and the WNBA, was arrested a few days ago in Russia. The pivot is accused of drug trafficking after authorities found hashish oil in his suitcase. The incident took place in February, after his flight from New York landed at Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow).
The Phoenix Mercury and UMMC Ekaterinburg player was arrested for checking luggage as authorities detected the banned substance in her luggage. Three weeks after the incident, the Russian agency TASS was in charge of publishing the news and warned that the sentence could reach ten years in prison.
The New York Times “The arrest of a high-profile American could be seen as an attempt by Russia to create influence for a possible prisoner exchange with the US government.” Both the WNBA and the union of the league and the US federation showed their support for Griner and his confidence that he could return to the United States as soon as possible. franchise with which he won the WNBA in 2014. The team repeated its presence in the final last year, but was defeated by the Chicago Sky.
Considered one of the best inside players in the world, Griner has been selected seven times for the WNBA All-Star and also has two Olympic gold medals with the United States national team. Like other American players, Griner takes advantage of the months when there is no competition in the WNBA to play in Europe. His salary at the UMMC Ekaterinburg is above $ 1 million per season (924,140 euros), four times the maximum salary that, according to the agreement, he can receive in the WNBA. The salary cap is $ 228,094 (about $ 210,790).
“We’re doing our best”
With the invasion of Ukraine as a backdrop, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has been working for days to try to free the Texan pivot and avoid a diplomatic conflict with Russia. “It simply came to our notice then. Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, of course we are willing to give as much help as possible, and that includes Russia. We have an embassy team working on the cases of other Americans detained in Russia. We are doing our best to ensure that their rights are upheld and respected, “said Blinken, who provided all possible assistance to Griner.
Cherelle Watson, Griner’s wife, used social media to ask for respect and to be grateful for the support she received. “Thank you to everyone who has contacted me regarding the safe return of my wife from Russia. I really appreciate your prayers and support. I love my wife with all my heart, so this message comes in a “I understand that many of you have come to love Brittney for the last few years. You are concerned and want details, but I beg you to respect our privacy as we continue to work to bring my wife home in a safe way, ”he announced.
“I do not know the circumstances of his arrest, but Griner’s arrest should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans in Russia,” said Michael A. McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow. Griner’s arrest keeps the LGTBIQ community in suspense, of whose rights the player is a defender. “Our thoughts are with Brittney Griner, her loved ones and her teammates during this terrible experience. Brittney has long been a powerful voice for LGTBIQ equality. It is crucial that we now use our collective voice to demand a safe and speedy return with the family, “said Sunday, a spokesman for Athlete Ally, an organization that advocates for LGTBIQ rights in the world of sports.
