Russian court sentences WNBA star Griner to 9 years in prison as Celtics leaders prepare to put pressure on government

2022-08-05 11:43

Russian court sentences WNBA star Griner to 9 years in prison as Celtics leaders prepare to put pressure on government


Since mid-February this year, 31-year-old WNBA star Britney Greenner was detained in Russia for several months for being involved in an international conflict while traveling to Russia for a game. At that time, Russia's military action against Ukraine was also on the verge of breaking out, and the relationship between Russia and the United States was on the verge of rupture.


According to information released by the U.S. State Department in April, Greener’s case has not progressed in Russia, and the female star has not been released on bail and is still being detained locally, which has attracted the attention of the international sports community and basketball world.


Greener was the No. 1 overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury team in the 2013 WNBA draft. She achieved many WNBA milestones in her nine-year career, including three-time All-Defensive First Team selection and two-time All-Defensive First Team selection. Second Team, 3-time WNBA Second Team and First Team, Women's Basketball Player of the Year, 2-time Best Defense, 5-time All-Star, 6-time Block Champion, and helped the team win the Women's Basketball League Finals champion.


She is a well-known star in the WNBA, has had a huge impact on young female athletes in the United States and abroad, and is admired by the outside world and her peers in her basketball career. But the influential actress was arrested in mid-February by Russia's Federal Security Service for having marijuana in her luggage. However, according to data analysis, the United States believes that this matter is strange, because before that, the State Department revealed that Greener was involved in an international conflict and was affected.


Since Greener was imprisoned in Russia, the organization of the WNBA Phoenix Mercury team is trying to get Greener released, and many league players, teams and fans have responded to the call for Greener's release. Among them, the Boston Celtics launched a sweatshirt solidarity campaign with the WNBA Players Association by Grant Williams, vice president of the league players union and Celtics forward, just one day before the first game of the finals last season. The words "WE ARE BG" in solidarity with Greener were written on the jersey, and a QR code that could be scanned into the link to request the release of Greener's petition was attached to the back of the shirt, which attracted the attention of the world.


As for the Russian court's charge of drug possession, Greener pleaded guilty, but she stressed that she accidentally packaged marijuana medicines with medical prescriptions and did not have any intention to harm Russia. However, as the matter continued to ferment, today the Russian court also formally sentenced Greener to 9 years in prison for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs in violation of Russian law.


Obviously, this verdict not only shocked the American basketball and sports world, but also caused turmoil in the US government. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement for the first time today, stating that the verdict was unacceptable, and called on Russia to "immediately release" Greener, so that she can return home and The right to family reunification.


Celtics captain Williams, who has vigorously promoted solidarity activities, also expressed this incredible verdict on social media today, and launched #FREEBG solidarity on social media, many players including teammate Jay. Sen Tatum, players, basketball associations, leagues, fans and more all support the #FREEBG movement.


The Today League and the Women's Basketball League also issued a joint statement on the verdict, saying the verdict and sentence were "unfair, unjust, unreasonable and unfortunate" and would vigorously request the U.S. government to expedite the return of Greener. American program. It is reported that the US government has made a prisoner exchange proposal to Russia, that is, to move Russian arms dealer Victor Bout to the motherland in exchange for US citizen Paul Whelan and WNBA star Greener who were jailed on espionage charges. The outcome of further negotiations between Russia and the United States is still pending.