American basketball player Brittney Griner was released by Russia. The move comes in exchange for the US release of Russian national and arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the Merchant of Death. With this, the question of who is Britney Griner is becoming widespread on social media. Questions also arise as to why they were imprisoned in Russia. Learn more about the Britney Griner case.
What is the Brittney Griner case?
Brittney Griner is one of America’s most famous basketball players. The British, who won two Olympic medals, was arrested by the Russian government in a case last August. Russia has sued Britain for allegedly possessing and attempting to smuggle drugs. Then 9 years of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million rubles were charged against Britain. US President Joe Biden intervened in the case and criticized Russia harshly. He also criticized Britney’s detention as illegal.
Griner was arrested this past February. Britney was detained by the Russian police after an inspection conducted at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport found marijuana-laced oil in Britney’s bag. Then Britney, who confessed to the crime, said that she was unknowingly packing drugs while packing the bag.
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With Britney’s arrest, there were huge protests from countries around the world. Britney, who is black, is also from the LGBTQ community. The United States began efforts to free Britney after the protests intensified. As part of this, the United States was ready to release a Russian citizen named Viktor Bout, an arms dealer who was arrested in the United States. Victor’s release was part of an effort to get Britney to America.
Achievements of athlete Brittany Griner
Griner was selected as one of the 25 greatest players in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) history in 2021. Griner started his professional career in 2013. Griner won two Olympic gold medals and a WNBA championship with the US Women’s National Basketball Team. She also revealed that she is a lesbian in 2013. Griner was also made famous by being the first openly gay athlete to sign a contract with global brand Nike.
Meanwhile, the topic that many discussed was how Britney was imprisoned in Russia. The reason for that was discussed later. Britain was playing for Russia’s basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. Women like Britney are paid less than their male counterparts in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Therefore, many WNBA athletes choose foreign countries to play.
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Meanwhile, with the arrest of Griner, another person who was imprisoned in Russia is now being investigated. That is Paul Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive who has been in a Russian prison since December 2018 on espionage charges. Efforts to free Whelan have so far been unsuccessful, although the US says his arrest is illegal.
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