“The entire UNITED STATES awaits” All eyes firmly stuck on Brittney Griner and Joe Biden ahead of G20 Summit
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Joe Biden, Brittney Griner
President Joe Biden agreed to get Brittney Griner freed from Russian custody, but efforts to have her brought back to the United States remained unsuccessful. The US president stated that he would be open to meeting with Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit to seek the release of the WNBA star.
The situation involving Brittney Griner is far from settled because the WNBA star has been imprisoned in Russia since February 2022. The centre from the Phoenix Mercury arrives in Moscow to compete in the Russian Premier League and FIBA Europe Women’s Euro League. Unfortunately, when vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage, she was imprisoned by Russian officials. She was charged with drug trafficking because she smuggled drugs into Russia, where marijuana is illegal. In order to swap Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer, for Griner and a Marine, US authorities proposed a potential prisoner exchange. Now, Joe Biden hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of a meeting with Vladimir Putin regarding Griner during the G20 summit.
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Brittney Griner’s frail circumstance in Russia
Since being held by Russian authorities at Sheremetyevo International Airport in February, Brittney Griner has not been liberated. The two-time WNBA defensive player of the year and seven-time all-star was apprehended by Russian Customs while in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. Griner received a nine-year sentence in August after being convicted guilty of drug offences in Russia. The legal team representing Griner submitted an appeal against her nine-year sentence on August 15. Despite the potential that Griner could have received up to 10 years in prison, they still think that her punishment is harsh. According to the defense counsel, other convicted offenders in similar situations across Russia were given a lighter term, and some were even granted parole.
On August 11, Russian government representatives disclosed that they and the American government were in discussions over a potential prisoner swap. This may have allowed Brittney Griner to meet her family for the first time since her detention. Because Viktor Bout, a well-known Russian arms dealer who received a 25-year sentence in 2011, has apparently been referenced in connection with a potential prisoner swap, the Biden administration thinks that she is being imprisoned against the law. Griner, a 31-year-old player for the Phoenix Mercury, has two Olympic gold medals to his name. Since 2014, she has also taken part in the WNBA offseason games played by UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia.
Joe Biden attending the G20 only because of Brittney Griner?
Joe Biden was asked if he would be open to seeing Putin at the G20 during an interview with CNN. At the summit in Indonesia next month, Biden suggested there would be one particular reason he would speak with Putin. He said: “Look, I have no intention of meeting with him. But, for example, if he came to me at the G20 and said, ‘I want to talk about the release of Griner,’ I would meet with him.” On Wednesday, as he addressed reporters in front of the White House and mentioned the notion once more. Additionally, Biden stated that Putin has not made any progress in discussing the potential for an exchange of prisoners for Griner and Paul Whelan.
In the interview, Biden also made reference to the conflict Russia has been waging against Ukraine since February and said he doesn’t think there is a need to engage with Putin about anything other than specific matters. The basketball community has advocated against releasing Griner and criticised the government. However, the Biden administration has reassured everyone that they are making every effort to resolve the problem. The countless athletes and celebrities who expressed their gratitude and support for Brittney Griner’s safe release show that the sporting community has not given up on her. The first hearing on the appeal has been scheduled for October 25 after Griner’s attorneys in Russia submitted the request.
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Irvin Philip
(701 Articles Published)