- The former NBA player plans to travel to Russia this week to secure a release for Brittney Griner
- He claims that his personal appeal to North Korea’s Kim led to the release of missionary Kenneth Bay in 2014
- The Russian court found Griner guilty od drug smuggling
- The WNBA player is serving nine years in prison
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star, is now detained in Russia. Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player has said that he will fly to Russia in an effort to assist Brittney Grinner.
According to reports, Rodman will fly to Russia this week to help Griner. Griner was found guilty of drug smuggling by a Russian court in Augus. As a result was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Griner, who was detained at a Russian airport after officials discovered cartridges containing cannabis oil in her belongings, has been deemed to be a victim of unlawful imprisonment according to the United States.
NBA Legend Dennis Rodman. Photo/Daily Post
The detention took place at a time when relations between Russia and The united states were at an all-time high, just days prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” I’m trying to go this week.” Dennis Rodman said
The media asked Ned Price, a spokesman for the United States Department of State, about Dennis Rodman’s rumoured trip to Russia during a press conference held on Monday.
In response, Price stated that the former NBA star would not be travelling on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of State strongly discourages its citizens from travelling to Russia.
Rodman secured a release for Kenneth Bay from North Korea
Dennis Rodman has previously intervened in politically delicate situations involving prisoners. He claims that his personal appeal to North Korea’s Kim led to the release of missionary Kenneth Bay in 2014.
Rodman also went to Singapore in 2018. That was also was the year when Kim met then-President of the United States Donald Trump there.
In 2014, he had a previous encounter with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and following that meeting. Rodman stated that Putin was “really cool.”
Brittney Griner is in detention in Russia. Photo/Marca
He expressed to NBC that he was certain in his comprehension of the Russian head of state.
It has been reported that the United States government has made an offer to release a Russian arms dealer named Viktor Bout in a swap for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, an American citizen.
The Russian court found him guilty of espionage two years ago and is currently serving a sentence of 16 years.
Russia has not yet provided a public response. It is possible that it may take quite some time for both countries to hammer out the details of a prisoner exchange that will result in Griner returning home.
The US government does not support Rodman’s decision
It does not appear that the White House gave “permission” for Dennis Rodman’s plan to fly to Russia in order to assist in securing Brittney Griner’s release.
The White House is not part of Rodman’s plan. The senior officials in President Joe Biden’s administration fear that it could hinder Griner’s prospects of release, according to an unidentified senior official who spoke with Reuters.
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