Former NBA player Dennis Rodman retracts, refuses to visit Russia to secure Brittney Griner's release. Check out why
Dennis Rodman, the former NBA player, had earlier revealed that he was on board to visit Russia to help in the release of Brittney Griner. However, he has now retracted his statement and refused to travel.
By ET Spotlight Special |
Agencies
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman has refused to come to the aid of fellow NBA player Brittney Griner after the latter was arrested in Russia for transporting banned substances.
In February 2022, Brittney Griner, who visited Russia to play in the UMMC Yekaterinburg, was arrested while returning. The Russian Federal Customs Service arrested Griner at the Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow. Reportedly, vape cartridges filled with hashish oil were discovered in Griner’s luggage. She was then charged with carrying considerable amounts of the cannabis drug as the cartridge contained 0.703 grams of the oil.
Griner’s arrest happened when tensions between Russia and Ukraine were mounting. It was expected that Griner would plead guilty to the charges. However, she told the court that the oil was not being carried intentionally by her. She packed her luggage in haste and mistakenly put the cartridge there. Meanwhile, her defence submitted a written statement to the Russian court stating that Griner was prescribed cannabis oil as a part of her pain medication.
After her arrest in February, Griner was convicted and sentenced to a nine-year prison term on August 4. The US President Joe Biden termed the sentence unacceptable, but the player is still behind bars in Russia.
Dennis Rodman initially told reporters that he got permission to travel to Russia to help release Griner. He also mentioned that he would be traveling later that week. However, Rodman has now cancelled his travel plans. The cancellation comes after the White House statement wherein Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, mentioned that Rodman would not be traveling on the government’s behalf. Price added that any action except being taken through established channels might complicate and hamper the release efforts.
Reports suggest that the US and Russia are diplomatically trying to get a prisoner swap for Griner. The whole process is still under wraps and might result in the player's release.
In February 2022, Brittney Griner, who visited Russia to play in the UMMC Yekaterinburg, was arrested while returning. The Russian Federal Customs Service arrested Griner at the Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow. Reportedly, vape cartridges filled with hashish oil were discovered in Griner’s luggage. She was then charged with carrying considerable amounts of the cannabis drug as the cartridge contained 0.703 grams of the oil.
Griner’s arrest happened when tensions between Russia and Ukraine were mounting. It was expected that Griner would plead guilty to the charges. However, she told the court that the oil was not being carried intentionally by her. She packed her luggage in haste and mistakenly put the cartridge there. Meanwhile, her defence submitted a written statement to the Russian court stating that Griner was prescribed cannabis oil as a part of her pain medication.
Fans have been flocking by the thousands to the Top Shot online platform to buy short videos of dramatic sequences from professional basketball games, as a new virtual market enjoys astonishing success among collectors, sports fans and art lovers. To the untrained observer, one video clip showed NBA superstar LeBron James in one of his more spectacular moves; but it lasted no more than a few dozen seconds. On Top Shot, however, it instantly became a collector's item that sold on Monday for an eye-popping $208,000.
After her arrest in February, Griner was convicted and sentenced to a nine-year prison term on August 4. The US President Joe Biden termed the sentence unacceptable, but the player is still behind bars in Russia.
Dennis Rodman initially told reporters that he got permission to travel to Russia to help release Griner. He also mentioned that he would be traveling later that week. However, Rodman has now cancelled his travel plans. The cancellation comes after the White House statement wherein Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, mentioned that Rodman would not be traveling on the government’s behalf. Price added that any action except being taken through established channels might complicate and hamper the release efforts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reports suggest that the US and Russia are diplomatically trying to get a prisoner swap for Griner. The whole process is still under wraps and might result in the player's release.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
Related Articles
Dennis Rodman: Career, relationships and 2025 net worth of former NBA starADVERTISEMENT
