Denis Rodman plans Russia trip to secure Griner release
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Former NBA player Denis Rodman hopes that his previous experience with regimes opposing Washington's policies will work in his favor, having already spent time with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
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Rodman plans a trip to Russia to get Griner jailed released.
Dennis Rodman is planning a trip to Russia in order to attempt secure the release of fellow basketball star Brittney Griner.
The former NBA player told NBC News he "got permission" to travel and hopes to fly out within days. "I'm trying to go this week," he said.
Rodman's plan comes despite the US State Department strongly discouraging Americans from entering Russia.
That said, the US government couldn't secure the release of Griner, an American citizen, since she was arrested at a Moscow airport on 17 February.
Griner, who played for Russian side Yekaterinburg during the WNBA off-season, was detained after cannabis-infused vape cartridges were found in her luggage.
Since Cannabis oil is illegal in Russia, Griner was convicted of drug possession and trafficking. She was sentenced to nine years behind bars after she pleaded guilty to the charges.
On the other hand, Biden claims the Russian court's sentencing of US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison was "unacceptable."
The US President reiterated that he would "work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue" to repatriate Griner and another detained American in Russia, Paul Whelan.
Negotiations are reportedly underway to swap the two for Russians incarcerated in the United States.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
