Planned trip to Russia
Ex-basketball star Rodman wants Griner released
8/22/2022 4:26 am
Hope for 31-year-old US basketball player Griner? The eccentric ex-basketball pro Dennis Rodman wants to campaign for her release from Russian custody. In the coming days, Rodman plans to travel personally to Russia to “help the girl.”
Former US basketball star Dennis Rodman wants to personally campaign in Russia for the release of imprisoned basketball player Brittney Griner. “I have permission to travel to Russia to help the girl,” Rodman told NBC News. He hopes to be able to travel this week. At the beginning of August, 31-year-old Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for drug smuggling. Rodman made the comments at an athletic apparel event in Washington, according to NBC. He did not give any further information about his travel plans.
A senior US official said it was known that Washington had made a sizeable offer to Russia. “Anything other than negotiations through the established channels could complicate and hamper efforts to obtain a release.”
Griner was arrested on arrival in Moscow in February. Cartridges for e-cigarettes with cannabis oil were found in their luggage. Despite tensions over Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, discussions have been ongoing between Moscow and Washington about a possible prisoner exchange since Griner’s arrest.
Positive statements about Putin
Rodman, 61, a five-time NBA champion, is known for his unorthodox forays into international politics. In recent years he has developed a friendship with North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un and has traveled to the internationally isolated country several times. In 2018, he flew to Singapore when then-US President Donald Trump met Kim there. Rodman has also spoken positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past. In 2014, after meeting in Moscow, he described Putin as “pretty cool.”
Griner is considered one of the best basketball players in the world and plays in the US professional league WNBA for Phoenix Mercury. During the WNBA break she runs for the Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg.