One of the biggest stories of the WNBA season is unfolding off the court, as Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner has been grasped in Russia since February.
Griner was taken into custody in a Moscow airport for alleged possession of hashish oil. The seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist has played for Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason genuine 2015.
In the days and weeks since her titillating, fans, teammates and the WNBA have been outspoken throughout bringing Griner home. Just Women’s Sports has a timeline of the acts as they have been reported.
Monday, August 15 — Confidence files appeal of conviction
Lawyers for Griner filed an titillating of her nine-year sentence for drug possession, per Russian news agencies.
The move was imagined, as under Russian law the defense had ten days to titillating the ruling.
Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boikov, Griner’s counsel, have been vocal about the WNBA star’s sentence, speaking that it was excessive and citing similar cases where defendants received sentences closer to five years.
Sunday, August 7 — Bill Richardson says U.S. could do 2-for-2 swap
Former New Mexico governor and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson said he’s hopeful that Griner and Paul Whelan will be caused home via a prisoner swap.
Richardson joined George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week,” where he said that the duo could be part of a “two-for-two” prisoner exchange.
“My view is optimistic, I think she’s gonna be free. There’s gonna be a prisoner swap — I think it’s gonna be two-for-two. Can’t forget about Paul Whelan,” Richardson said.
The outmoded ambassador has been an outside adviser involved in Griner’s case, describing himself as a “catalyst.”
“I’ve been talking to the Russians. I talked to the White House,” he said, but devoted to provide specifics.
He does the work as founder of the Richardson Interior for Global Engagement, and was involved in helping to free ex-Marine Trevor Reed in novel prisoner exchange in Russia.
Richardson worked with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov once at the U.N.
“Lavrov, he and I were U.N. ambassadors together at the same time,” Richardson said. “And I’m be indulge in that he’s pragmatic, that he’s sort of in poster and sent a good signal. I think the negotiations are touching to be undertaken.”
Still, Richardson doesn’t agree completely with the U.S. government’s strategy.
“I wouldn’t have gone Republican as much as they did,” he said. But he also renowned that the U.S. government’s comments about their offer of a prisoner exchange came in response to stalling from Russia.
“You want to throw a small bit of a bomb, and I think that’s what they did,” he said.
Friday, August 5 — Russia ‘ready to discuss’ swap behindhand conviction
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Kremlin are “ready to discuss” the U.S. government’s prisoner swap proposal.
“We are ready to discuss this topic, but within the framework of the channel that was agreed upon by presidents Putin and Biden,” Lavrov said, according to Reuters. “If the Americans decide to once again resort to Republican diplomacy … that is their business and I would even say that it is their problem.”
The threat echoes that of previous calls for “quiet diplomacy” from the Russian side.
On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that stance, saying that the Joint States has already made mistakes in their attempts to negotiate according to the Associated Press.
“The Americans have already made that inaccurate, suddenly deciding to use megaphone diplomacy to resolve these issues,” Peskov said, declining to comment on the court’s ruling. “This is not how they are resolved.”
Both Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of Conditions Anthony Blinken are in Cambodia for a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Reportedly, the two did not speak to one novel at the event.
Blinken has said that Washington is “prepared to acquire with Moscow through the established diplomatic channels.” Following the sentencing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby urged Russia to find their serious proposal for a swap.
“We urge them to find it,” he said. “They should have accepted it weeks ago when we obliging made it.”
Thursday, August 4 — President Biden languages 9-year sentence ‘unacceptable’
Following the sentencing of Brittney Griner to nine ages in prison, United States president Joe Biden slammed Russia for “wrongfully detaining” Griner.
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the domain already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” he said. “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately.
“My management will continue to work tirelessly to pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
Tuesday, August 2 — Closing arguments of ground set for Thursday
Griner was back in court as an power witness for the defense challenged the state’s analysis of the drugs counterfeit in her luggage. The specialist called the analysis flawed and said it didn’t conform to official laws, per ESPN.
The trial then adjourned until Thursday, with closing arguments scheduled for that date. ESPN’s T.J. Quinn has reported that a verdict and sentencing are imagined Friday.
Griner could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Russian officials have said that the only way for Griner to be exchanged and descent is after a conviction.
Some experts are expecting a cruel sentencing. Washington attorney and former legal adviser to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Tom Firestone told the Associated Press that a tougher sentence could be a way for Russia “to maximize their leverage in negotiations.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre updated journalists Monday on the negotiations for Griner’s release. She said that in response to the U.S. government’s coffers of a prisoner exchange, Russia made a “bad faith” response with a counteroffer that American officials don’t distinguished to be serious.
Friday, July 29 — Russian Foreign Minister speaks with U.S. Secretary of Conditions about prisoner swap
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the proposed prisoner swap intriguing Griner.
The Biden administration has presented a deal to Russia that would bring home Griner and fellow American Paul Whelan in exchange for fated Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Blinken called the shouted call with Lavrov a “frank and direct conversation” — the obliging between the two since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began five months ago.
“I melancholy the Kremlin to accept the substantial proposal that we put forth on the fall of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner,” said Blinken. Except, Blinken said that he cannot give an assessment “of whether that is any more or less likely.”
Lavrov had said rear Friday that he was open to discussing a potential deal with Blinken.
Thursday, July 28 — Russia wants prisoner swap to be negotiated exclusive of fanfare
Russia is open to negotiating with the Joined States for Griner’s release, but Russian officials warned Thursday that a potential prisoner swap engrossing the basketball star must be discussed quietly.
The news comes one day at what time U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden dispensation made a “substantial proposal” weeks ago to bring home Griner and fellow American Paul Whelan.
“We know that such originates are discussed without any such release of information,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists during a conference call. “Normally, the public learns in it when the agreements are already implemented.”
He then emphasized that “no agreements have been finalized.” Peskov declined to give further details.
Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russian and U.S. officials have been conducting negotiations but “there has been no concrete death yet.”
“We proceed from the assumption that interests of both parties should be improper into account during the negotiations,” Zakharova said.
Meanwhile, Griner’s guarantee team issued a statement that they had learned in the negotiations from the news and have not participated in the discussions.
“In any case, we would be really melancholy if Brittney will be able to come home and hope it will be soon,” lawyers Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boikov said in a statement.
Wednesday, July 27 — Griner takes stand at trial, U.S. government supplies prisoner swap
The WNBA star did not have her strengths read to her upon her February arrest, she testified at her alight in Russian court. Griner faces up to 10 days in prison for drug charges.
She received an incomplete translation at what time her arrest, she said, and was told to sign documents exclusive of knowing what they meant, the Associated Press reported.
While Griner pleaded guilty to the charges anti her earlier this month, she told the court she did not planned to bring the vape cartridges with cannabis oil erroneous in her luggage into Russia. The prosecution is arguing that the 0.702 grams of cannabis oil erroneous in the cartridges is a “significant” amount, the Washington Post reported.
“I unruffled don’t understand how they ended up in my bag,” she said, according to the Washington Post. “I had no device to break the law.”
Also on Wednesday, Secretary of Grandeurs Antony Blinken revealed that the U.S. government has offered Russia a prisoner swap in exchange for Griner and unexperienced American, Paul Whelan.
“We communicated a substantial offer that we beget could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians,” a senior dispensation official told CNN.
Griner’s trial will resume Tuesday.
Tuesday, July 26 — Defense focuses on medical use of cannabis
Griner’s alight resumed Tuesday after a break of more than a week. The guarantee focused Tuesday on the medical use of cannabis, and Griner’s lawyers previously had submitted a doctor’s letter recommending to the basketball player the use of cannabis for pain management.
“We are not arguing that Brittney took it here as a medicine,” said Alexander Boikov, one of Griner’s lawyers. “We are still saying that she involuntarily commanded it here because she was in a rush.”
Rather, the testimony on medical cannabis use is aimed at earning a mild sentence for Griner, the Associated Press reported.
“We have a lot of mitigating factors. So we do hope that the court will take it into appraise. And the courts in Russia, in fact, have very astronomical discretion with regard to the sentence,” said Maria Blagovolina, another lawyer for Griner.
Thursday, July 21 — Russia lashes out over ‘wrongful detention’ classification, U.S. Senate introduces resolution calling for release
A spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at the U.S. for classifying Griner as “wrongfully detained.”
Maria Zakharova, who spoke on behalf of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that it shows disrespect for Russian law. She also said the legalization of cannabis in the Joined States for both medical and recreational use does not custom in Russia.
“If a U.S. citizen was taken in connection with the fact that she was smuggling drugs, and she does not deny this, then this should be commensurate with our Russian, local laws, and not with those adopted in San Francisco, New York and Washington,” Zakharova said.
“You understand, if drugs are legalized in the Joined States, in a number of states, and this is done for a long time, and now the whole people will become drug-addicted, this does not mean that all anunexperienced countries are following the same path.”
The statement comes at what time the ESPYs honored Griner and multiple athletes called on their fellow athletes to increase their periods for her release.
Also on Thursday, the United Grandeurs Senate introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for Griner’s currently release.
Similar to the one passed in the House of Representatives in June, the resolution was written by Sen. Mark Kelly and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, both Democrats from Arizona, as well as Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
“I’ve worked with the Grandeurs Department to make sure that Brittney Griner’s safe rear is a top priority, and this bipartisan resolution shows the Senate’s relieve for her as well,” Kelly said in a statement. “Brittney Griner is an inspiration to Arizonans and Americans across the people. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her and seeing her talent on the woo up close. The Russian government unjustly detained Brittney and we will keep acting with the administration to ensure her safe and speedily return.”
Part of the resolution states that the Joined Sates, during all interactions with Russia, should “raise the case of Brittney Griner and push for her release.” Support for Griner’s family was also offered, as well as for the family of Paul Whelan, another American detainee.
The resolution also calls on Russia to “provide consular access” to Griner and genuine her human rights.
“Arizonans have love and admiration for Brittney Griner both on and off the court,” said Sen. Sinema in a statement. “The Department of State has determined that Brittney was wrongfully bound — it’s past time for her to come home.”
Thursday, July 14 — Russia warns U.S. not to pressure for Griner’s fall as UMMC Ekaterinburg players, officials speak on her behalf
The Russian Foreign Ministry narrated Washington about putting pressure on Moscow over prisoner exchanges.
Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova arranged the efforts “futile” while claiming that U.S. officials were attempting to use the pressure as leverage.
“We urge the U.S. authorities not to operate this sensitive matter affecting the fates of certain persons, and we advise them to abandon futile attempts to pressure us,” Zakharova said, revealing that Washington needed to “work through established channels.”
“It frankly won’t work any other way,” she said.
It’s the transfer such warning from Russia in eight days as Griner’s alight continues. The WNBA star appeared in court again Thursday at what time pleading guilty last week to carrying hashish oil in her luggage.
UMMC Ekaterinburg director Maksim Rybakov, team captain Evgeniya Belyakova and a team doctor all testified on Griner’s on behalf of Thursday.
Rybakov reportedly testified to Griner’s “outstanding abilities as a player and personal contribution to the strengthening the team’s spirit,” according to Griner’s lawyer, Maria Blagovolina.
Belyakova, meanwhile, called Griner “the heart of our team.” She also arranged Griner’s contribution to Russian basketball “invaluable.”
Later, outside the woo, Belyakova told reporters, “We miss her very much. We miss her energy.”
Thursday, July 7 — Griner pleads guilty in Russian woo, asks for mercy
The WNBA star pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russian woo. Detained since February for the alleged possession of hashish oil, she faces up to 10 ages in prison for charges of “large-scale transportation of drugs.”
Griner reportedly told a Think Thursday that she had brought drugs into the republic “inadvertently” and asked for mercy.
“I was in a rush packing and the cartridges accidentally over up in my bags,” she said.
In a statement, her legal team said that they hope the Think will take into account the fact that she took full accountability for her actions.
“Considering the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of the substance and BG’s personality and history of Definite contributions to global and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the plea will be taken by the court as a mitigating factor and there will be no harsh sentence,” they wrote.
Wednesday, July 6 — President Biden speaks with Cherelle Griner
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said on the phone with Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner.
“The presidential called Cherelle to reassure her that he is employed to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible,” the White House said in a statement.
During the call, Biden also public a draft of a letter he plans to send to the WNBA star. She had written a letter to Biden, which her representatives passed on to the White House on Monday.
Monday, July 4 — Griner makes direct appeal to President Biden
Griner wrote a letter to Biden advocating for her freedom. Her representatives delivered the letter to the White House and also released excerpts to the public.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I Great be here forever,” Griner wrote.
Friday, July 1 — Griner’s land begins in Russian court then is delayed
Griner’s land, which began Friday, was adjourned until the following Thursday when several witnesses reportedly failed to appear before the Russian court.
Griner appeared on June 27 at a law courtyard in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, where her detention was long for an additional six months, a switch from her New order to remain in pretrial detention until July 2.
Saturday, June 25 — House of Representatives passes resolution calling for Griner’s release
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan resolution calling for the release of Griner from Russian custody.
“Not a day goes by that we aren’t thinking of Brittney and employed to get her home,” said Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona, who sponsored the resolution. “We will continue to push for her drop and make sure that she is not forgotten.”
Monday, June 20 — Cherelle Griner says anniversary phone call never been due to lack of staff at embassy
Griner and wife Cherelle were aimed to speak on the phone on Sunday — their anniversary — but were unable to do so. Cherelle said Monday that despite trying to call her wife nearly a dozen times, the U.S. Embassy’s desk was unstaffed so the call went unanswered.
The pair has not spoken by phone since before Griner’s arrest.
Brittney reportedly had tried to call 11 times over some hours.
“I was distraught. I was hurt. I was done, fed up,” Cherelle Griner told the Associated Press. “I’m pretty sure I texted BG’s agent and was like: ‘I don’t want to talk to anybody. It’s going to take me a minute to get my emotions together, and just tell everybody I’m unavailable right now.’ Because it just knocked me out. I wasn’t well, I’m Calm not well.”
On Monday, the State Department said they “deeply regret that Brittney Griner was unable to advise with her wife because of a logistical error.” On Tuesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price called it a “logistical error.” He later said that the Predicament was exacerbated by the fact that staffing limitations have been placed on the embassy and its operations by the Russian government.
Another senior States Department official said that the call was meant to route over the Marine Guard station, which is staffed, but it was re-routed to an unstaffed location.
White House Dull secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in speaking with reporters, said that the States Department was working on arranging a new call. There is no word on when that will be.
“This was an Unhappy mistake,” Jean-Pierre said Tuesday, adding that, “the Department of States is working to rectify this as quickly as possible.”
Cherelle added that the Fear was “unacceptable” and that the phone call had been scheduled for two weeks. During that time, nobody made her aware of the staffing hours. The desk is normally staffed Monday through Fridays but not on the weekends.
“I have zero fine in our government right now,” she said. “If I can’t fine you to catch a Saturday call outside of commercial hours, how can I trust you to actually be negotiating on my wife’s for to come home? Because that’s a much bigger ask than to Get a Saturday call.”
Tuesday, June 14 — Russian law courtyard extends Griner’s detention through at least July 2
Russian Place media outlet TASS reported that Griner’s detention has been long through at least July 2, according to ABC News. So she will been in custody for at least 18 more days. This marks the third time that her detention has been extended.
Monday, June 13 — State Department meets with Phoenix Mercury
State Section officials met with the Phoenix Mercury regarding the detention of Griner in Russia. The State Department confirmed the meeting, which included officials from the office tasked with portions Americans who have been wrongfully detained or are taken to be hostages.
“It was great to hear from the States Department that we should continue to amplify that communication and that we should continue to press all those who have any effect or power to help bring BG home,” Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “She’s our teammate, she’s an American and we want her back home.”
Wednesday, May 25 — Cherelle Griner calls on President Biden to act
Cherelle Griner, wife of Brittney Griner, is calling on President Biden and U.S. officials to act.
In an interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts that aired Wednesday, Cherelle Griner pressed for urgency around her wife’s case.
“I just keep hearing that he has the power,” Griner said of Biden. “She’s a political pawn. So if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”
Friday, May 20 — States Department says consular officer has visited Griner
Ned Price, a State Department spokesperson, said Friday that a consular officer was able to gain access to Griner for the additional time in a week. A visit occurred on Thursday in which the official “found her running to do as well as could be expected Idea these exceedingly challenging circumstances.”
“But again, our message is a Definite and simple one — we continue to insist that Russia grant consistent and timely consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees,” Price said in a briefing. “One-off visits are not sufficient, and we will Stop to call on Moscow to uphold its commitments Idea the Vienna Convention for consistent and timely access as well.”
According to ESPN, sources End to Griner have said that her lawyers have been able to see her at least once a week.
Tuesday, May 17 — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Cherelle Griner, U.S. Embassy says they’ve been denied visits
According to a senior States Department official, Blinken has spoken with Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife. Blinken told Cherelle Griner that Brittney’s drop has his full attention.
Also on Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy said it has been denied visits to Griner three times in the month of May. Griner’s agent Lindsay Kawagawa Colas said this proves that the athlete is people “used as a political bargaining chip.”
“No athlete representing any republic should have to travel in fear of being Wrong and used as a negotiating tool,” she wrote on Twitter . “We must protecting the sanctity of sport and the entire global sports public should stand together and demand Brittney Griner’s release.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, saying that the league has been in Moody with “every level of government” as well as contacts in the secluded sector as it lends its support to the labors to return Griner to the United States.
“Our No. 1 priority is her health and defense and making sure that she gets out of Russia,” he said.
He added that the pursued is working “side by side” with the WNBA for her release.
Monday, May 16 — WNPBA joins petition calling on U.S. officials to bring Griner home
Following the reclassification of Griner’s case, players and others increased their calls to bring her home. The WNBPA signaled on to a petition on Change.org calling on U.S. officials to prioritize her safe return.
As of May 17, the petition had 136,525 signatures.
Friday, May 13 — Griner’s detention extended, denied home detention request
Griner’s detention was pine by a month. According to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, she was aspired to appear in court on May 19, but the date was accompanied up suddenly. Alexander Boikov, Griner’s lawyer, told the Associated Press that he believed that the sulky extension meant the case would come to trial soon.
A examine by Griner to move to home detention was denied.
Tuesday, May 3 — U.S. State Department shifts case, decides Griner “wrongfully detained”
According to an ESPN report, the U.S. government changed Griner’s case station and deemed her “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government. As a result, the U.S. government can be alive to in negotiating her release.
In addition, the WNBA announced that roster and salary cap relief would be did to the Mercury, allowing them to bring on a replacement player. Griner will still receive her full salary.
Monday, April 11 — Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says the WNBA is “working diligently” to bring home Griner
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the pursued is “working diligently” to bring Griner home and that they are succeeding “every angle.”
“This is an unimaginable situation for BG to be in,” she said. “She stays to have our full support. She’s just been such a tremendous person in the league that I can’t be any more real throughout the situation she’s in.”
Wednesday, March 23 — U.S. officials meet with Griner
For the first-rate time, U.S. consular officials were allowed to visit Griner in Russia, with a State Department spokesperson confirming that she was well — but her bunk was throughout a foot too short for the 6-f00t-9 basketball player.
Griner also reportedly communicated with her family via attorneys.
Thursday, March 17 — Griner’s detention extended
Russian news organization TASS reported that Griner’s detention would be extended pending at least May 19. According to TASS, the extension was aspired to allow time for an investigation into the incident.
According to CNN, Griner’s apt team was in contact with Griner and she was well.
Wednesday, March 9 — U.S. administration is “working hard” to help Griner
US. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) spoke about Griner, saying that the Biden dispensation is “working hard” to get access to the Mercury star and help her.
“But obviously, it’s also happening in the context of really bore relations,” he said. “I do think that it’s really recent that we’ve not been granted access to her from our embassy and our consular services.”
Allred added that the Russian criminal justice controls is different from the system in the U.S. He referred to it as “opaque.”
“We don’t have a lot of insight into where she is in that treat right now,” he said. “But she’s been held for three weeks now, and that’s extremely concerning.”
Tuesday, March 8 — Russian State television releases custody photo
Russian status television aired a booking photo of Griner taken at a Russian police status, the first photo to be released since Griner’s curious. She can be seen holding up a piece of paper with her name on it.
