Dennis Rodman goes to Russia to release women’s basketball players Previously met Kim Jong-un in North Korea | HuffPost WORLD

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman has traveled to Russia to negotiate the release of WNBA player Britney Greiner, who has been detained.NBCrevealed to

Rodman said in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 21 that he had been issued a travel permit to Russia.

“I got permission to go to Russia to help her,” he said. “I’m going this week.”

Dennis Rodman (March 10, 2019)

Michael Tullberg via Getty Images

Rodman has a close relationship with Kim Jong-un

Greiner, who played for a Russian team during the WNBA offseason, was arrested in February for possessing cannabis-laced e-cigarette cartridges, which are illegal in the country. .

On August 4, he was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court for possession of illegal drugs.sentenced.Greiner’s lawyers after rulingappealHowever, the details have not been clarified.

Britney Greiner in custody (August 4, 2022)

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV via Getty Images

Mr. Rodman said that he will visit Russia for the release of the Greiner player. This is not the first time the two sides have engaged in informal diplomatic negotiations.

In 2013, Rodman traveled to North Korea to watch a basketball game in Pyongyang with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. Since then, he has visited North Korea many times to deepen his friendship with Kim.

Mr. Dennis Rodman (left) shakes hands with Mr. Song Kwang-ho, vice-president of the North Korean Olympic Committee during his visit to North Korea (September 3, 2013)

He also drew attention for his involvement in the release of Kenneth Bae, an American missionary who was detained in North Korea.

Bae was sentenced to 15 years of forced labor in 2013 for plotting to overthrow the government in North Korea.

Rodman said in May 2013, “I call on the supreme leader of North Korea, who I call ‘Kim,’ to free Kenneth Bae.”Tweetdid.but then saywithdraw. When he visited North Korea in September, he said, “I’m not going to North Korea to negotiate the liberation of Mr. Kenneth Bae.”Stated。

In addition, Rodman said in a 2014 CNN interview, “Bae could have done enough to get a 15-year sentence.”comment.After this, she stated that she appeared in a drunken state and made remarks.apologized。

Finally, in November 2014, Mr.liberated.Regarding Rodman’s series of words and actions, he said, “Thanks to him, the problem was noticed.”CNNexpressed gratitude in an interview.

Rodman also spoke favorably of Russian President Vladimir Putin. After visiting Moscow for a basketball game in 2014, he described Mr Putin as a “nice guy”.FOX businesssays to

Rodman, meanwhile, slapped a man at a bar in 2019.be prosecutedhave caused several problems in recent years.

Mr. Rodman’s future actions will be noted,Associated PressAccording to the report, Greiner and former Marine Paul Willa could be released in a prisoner exchange.

HuffPost US versiontranslated the article.