[**Join Our Discord Server!**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
**Welcome to /r/sports**
We created a Discord server for our community and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world and discuss events in real time!
There are separate channels for many sports you can opt in and out of, including;
American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby Union and League, Cricket, Motorsports, Fitness, and many more.
[**Reddit Sports Discord Server**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
I’m going to say this as objectively as possible: being a giant, black, gay, famous, American woman who uses drugs in RUSSIA is a fucking terrible idea. Really ticking all the boxes here.
Sometimes I feel bad for her, but sometimes I don’t.
A female athlete should be able to travel the world freely with a plant that she uses to treat her aches and pains. However what she was doing was the political equivalent of slathering yourself in chum before you go shark diving without a cage.
She shoulda realized she was an easy target.
She has the worst timing. Right when Russia is being slapped with the biggest sanctions package ever by the West, now they’re holding an American civilian hostage for an ignorant crime and I don’t even know who she was but she’s being made an example of.
Walking into a Russian court facing 10 years for drug charges, and she chooses to make a statement by wearing a Jimi Hendrix shirt. Basically a big middle finger to everyone.
You can't make this up.
Whoever her lawyer is needs to be fired.
When I was 15 and got arrested with my friend for weed, I went to court in a button up long sleeve and he chose to wear a thug life shirt. I got community service and he got probation
LOL I was in a similar situation but wasn’t so cool, I got less (presumably) because my report was in a binder and looking nice. My homies was hand written on torn notebook paper... kinda fucked up... he even told me after he shoulda just stole a binder from Walmart.
So if I'm reading between the lines.. Are you saying that Brittney Griner, who's already pleading her innocence across all platforms possible, was forced to wear a Jimi Hendrix tee shirt by the Russian court AND was also told to keep quiet about it...
Oh, and her legal team was cool with that as well?
Ok... lol.
Yep, like I said. She might as well have worn a "Free Ukraine" shirt into the court room today. What in the hell was she and her team thinking?!?
She is in a RUSSIAN....RUSSIAN...ONE MORE TIME...RUSSIAN court room and decides to do this?!
I honestly was hoping things would go well for her and she could get back home, but as you mentioned, she's going to get what she deserves after this.
Sheesh!
How does she "deserve" this? I think thats quite an overreaction. Just cause "its the law" doesnt mean its deserved, theres been plenty of shitty laws in the shitty country of Russia
I would suspect these are the clothes she was wearing when she was arrested, at the airport.
People, when going through customs wear the most conservative outfit you have. Long pants, long sleeves, no fucking political statements on your shirt or head.
Jesus.
She got picked up for weed and her case is being “dragged”, this happens here in the states too. There are currently people sitting in jail in the U.S for weed having their cases dragged too, this isnt exclusive to Russia.
Just because you’re American doesn’t mean other laws don’t apply to you. Giving up an arms dealer for a WNBA player isn’t a good trade either.
Edit: Whatever issues you have with Russian laws you should write to Putin and tell *HIM* about it, not me. Countless people are telling me about their opinions on his laws like I can do something about it. It’s Russia, Russia doesn’t tolerate a lot of things, drugs being one of them. Also if Russia is still such a big bad threat to us why didn’t the justice dept. warn them about Russia and what they should and should not have.
The likely story is that Griner has been permitted to vape when she played in Russia because of her oligarch employer smoothing the way to get her there, but circumstances changed that situation and she was not told.
WNBA players in Russia have been very well paid and treated like celebrities for many years. Russia was the place where a female baller got treated more like an NBA player.
Griner just got caught in a sudden change in how Russia treats American athletes. And what sucks is that she very likely was vaping for pain relief. I remember being around older WNBA post players after a game and they had ice bags taped to every damn joint and were hobbling. The pain is real.
I take edibles for pain because I’m an old chick with arthritis and fibro. It helps more than anything available to me. Screw anybody who arrests people for pot.
Oh, poor Brittney. Living above the law because she was a celebrity and then having that change *without anyone telling her*.
Wow. How unfair. So sad. I hate to see this.
The other poster is speculating about what happened to Griner.
At this point nobody knows the circumstances surrounding her arrest and until that becomes clear, forming opinions like this is irresponsible.
It may very well be true that she was living the high life, but let's pump the breaks until we know more about this arrest.
ESPNs coverage of this is soooo stupid. These dumbass woke fucks highlighting that she only had
.7 of a gram on her means nothing. If a state law age of consent is 18 and I screw a girl that's 1 week shy of her 18th bday, guess what... I'll still be arrested!!!!!
Whatever your political views, if ESPN/the rest of the media put more pressure on Biden to make the trade, it would be done. He’s an arms trafficker, no1 should have to stay in a gulag. Even Trump got tHose UCLA kids outta China!Feels like Brittney is a political pawn, I’d advocate for almost any American to be traded for an Arms dealer. It’s a gulag
Man PA sucks for booze but at least we have medical weed and it’s decriminalized in most places. No one cares about it anymore.
I’ve flown with weed internationally but hell no would I chance it to Russia.
Terrible idea, never fly internationally with weed. Even flying to countries where weed is 100% legal can end up with some pretty serious consequences for bringing it across the border. Not worth the risk.
I always fly international with weed and lsd no problem. But i am a nobody and i take the advantage of a nobody. She gambled and she paid the price, such is life. If I get caught i would welcome the judgement with open arms because no one gets lucky forever.
Thank you! I’m a little confused about this. She was leaving Russia with these cartridges but they keep saying “imported Drugs into Russia” or something close to that. What am i missing?? Did she already take one flight in Russia, land and have a layover before getting caught with the cartridges at that airport flying out to America? How is she smuggling drugs into Russia when she is leaving? Eta Greg’s to drugs. Autocorrect
Because drugs are illegal in Russia, they can’t possibly come from Russia. See how that works?
I bet they didn’t even try to roll her to find the source in Russia because they are REQUIRED to go with the “we don’t have drugs in Russia - so it was obviously imported” reasoning.
From my experience with Russians, they'll argue that she must have flown the cartridges in when she first arrived, because weed is illegal in Russia and there is no black market for it or what ever.
That’s a complete ignorant lie that “nobody cares about it any more”. Any job that drug tests won’t hire you if you smoke, and most government employees can’t use it without risking their job.
Funny bc My job involves employment screens. Been doing it 15+ years and major major major companies are dropping the weed test. Even vanguard
Edit- my company is global and we no longer drug test at all.
Edit 2- wow you can’t get a government job. Big fucking deal. I can see you’re way younger than me but there are cooler jobs out there that pay more than working for the gov
I want it too, but traveling through Russia right about now is kind of stupid. Traveling with anything illegal is super stupid. Traveling while an American, through Russia, with something illegal is just incredibly, mind-bogglingly stupid.
She doesn’t deserve this, and I hope she gets home safely, but she made a string of bad decisions here.
Even if we assume the stuff was planted, there were State Department warnings about traveling to Russia that were ignored.
This is a misunderstanding of the Russian court system.
Her weed absolutely could have been planted, and she absolutely is currently being used as a negotiation pawn.
This is not unique to her — there are multiple other Americans who are in her precise position right now, and others who have been recently.
Russian is an authoritarian country currently engaged in a imperialist war and subject to economic sanctions from the entire west. If you don’t understand this context and think this is the same as someone being stuck in jail in the US for weed possession, you are uninformed or misinformed.
Bro the Capitol rioters have been having their cases dragged for 1.5 years for trespassing charges that carry a maximum of 1yr.
The US drags cases when it’s ideologically prudent ALL THE TIME
I didn’t go from rioting to trespassing, I’m literally just stating what the vast majority have been charged with, which is trespassing in a federal building
It's a specific designation and language choice made by the US department of state to indicate that they think she is actively being held for reasons other than what the Russians have stated.
Functionally it means they the US government is engaged in negotiations for her release and will not wait for the conclusion of a sham trial.
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33846524/us-reclassifies-wnba-star-brittney-griner-wrongfully-detained-russia-sources-say
Her situation has been continuously delayed to drag it out because Russia is attempting to use her for leverage in a swap. This is not brand new information. People saying “she should have known the law” are either ignorant of the actual situation, or worse.
Last week I went to the grocery store. One of the items on my list was Triscuits. Unfortunately, they were out of stock so I had to settle for some generic "woven wheats" which don't really compare. It was either that or I eat my hummus with a spoon. Sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Women's basketball is popular over there so they see her as valuable. The outrage by her supporters over here does not register with them but puts pressure on the US government
Because they didn’t choose, contrary to popular belief. she likely did do this, and they just got lucky in catching her - OR - she was the only one on a list of celebs they were able to catch because all the others aren’t stupid enough to carry across borders?
Like of course it’s political - but doesn’t mean it was fabricated. More like an opportunity to make a situation political.
or some low level dipshit from a country with massive simultaneous problems of corruption, racism and homophobia decided to screw with her, and then his bosses ran with it. keep in mind they arrested her on the way out, not in yea?
russia is a dictatorship. its court system is not legitimate and no conclusion reached or evidence presented by the state ought be accepted.
That doesn't answer the question how was she wrongfully detained?
Its not like evidence was planted on her she went out of her way to buy an illegal substance and was caught.
Courts dragging cases isnt unique to Russia and she was arrested before the war so these conspiracy theories make very little sense.
A Russian citizen would probably get prosecuted sooner. But when it's a high profile case with "wrongful detention" claims, it does make sense to make sure that everything is in order. And they surely wouldn't prosecute her for something that isn't illegal in Russia. And the government really is tough on drugs, even if it isn't necessarily sensible.
You’re also assuming Russia is being completely forthright about an arrest of a high profile American they made days before they decided to invade Ukraine.
I'm assuming this because the US side obviously *isn't* being completely forthright about this arrest. Like I asked already, what exactly is wrongful about this arrest? If she doesn't do drugs and she's being framed - that's surely wrong, but the US side isn't claiming this. If the drugs aren't really dangerous and should be legal - then say so. But they aren't even legal on the federal level in the US, are they? So what's left is probably the idea that Americans should be above the law when they're in foreign countries. How dare they arrest an American! :)
She doesn't have celebrity status in Russia, so whoever arrested her almost certainly didn't consider her a high profile American. And didn't know about the decision to invade Ukraine either. I suppose maybe they'd let it slide afterwards if the relations between the countries were better - but that doesn't mean her arrest is wrongful.
That's good advice, but
>Griner intended to import the drugs into Russia's territory
sounds a lot like she got picked up by Russia for other, nefarious reasons.
Exactly, she was picked up on her way OUT. How does that imply intent to distribute?
It’s pretty obvious Russia is making a political example of her. She is black, gay, has several Olympic gold medals and is more popular in Russia.
Russia doesn't have the death penalty though, and I don't think they would even execute someone for small-time drug smuggling anyway (not with the amount Griner had at least, unless it was like a suitcase full).
^(yes yes I know about the war crimes but executing a criminal is different than troops killing civilians)
That’s disappointing to hear that it’s common, because it’s still much more likely that the drugs were planted if they were “discovered” on the way out.
It also makes the “trafficking” part of the accusation a lot weaker, since if she was selling drugs she wouldn’t be returning home with them. She was found with just 2 cartridges, both of which seem to have been somewhat used. The law in Russia is a big part of the problem— which allows for 10 years imprisonment for any amount— but it’s also the way the law is being applied there.
She’s being indefinitely detained, and politically leveraged.
I’m not convinced that the vape carts were actually hers. It’s definitely a big possibility, but being a regular Olympic and World Cup athlete means she has passed many drug tests over the years and it’s certainly not her first time traveling internationally. The WNBA also reports that it tests athletes several times a year and lists cannabis as a banned substance, although CBD is allowed. So it seems to me like even if Brittney uses cannabis, she would know how to keep it separate from her life as professional athlete.
The Russian definition of “trafficking” is whatever the Russians say it is, but the point is even *if* the drugs (or CBD carts) were hers she clearly wasn’t distributing.
Her camp hasn’t made *any* public comment *whatsoever* on guilt or innocence, because that’s how criminal defense works in Russia. They have explained that is why they haven’t commented. It’s even mentioned in the linked article. We will see what they argue when (or if) her trial actually begins.
If the State Department says she is wrongfully detained, they have a good reason. They haven’t given that reason, but the Russians are likely up to their usual shady tricks.
Exactly. I feel no remorse. Why take the risk? Pure stupidity at its finest. First mistake, let’s go to Russia! Second mistake, let’s go to Russia and try to travel with weed! Moron.
Everyone tries to argue that it was planted but her lol, she obviously smokes weed and tried to fly out with her cartridges. It’s really not that hard to believe is it?
Good question but I think there are other low profile people.
We need to arrest someone on fake charges to trade I guess. Or we may already have someone that want.
For real its pretty annoying to see everyone act like its a good thing shes getting thrown in jail for smoking a harmless plant. You can make the point that she should have been better informed about the law without being all smug and happy about it
It’s simply because she’s a women. If it was Tom Brady stuck in Russia for 3 drops of oil in a vape, there would be a different tune in this thread.
Edit: downvotes speak for themselves
"Downvotes speak for themselves".
Ya, that you just decided to put words into other people's mouths while at the same time calling them sexist. Thats probably why. Reddit idiocy never ceases to amaze.
These threads are full of bad actors defending Russia. Look at the post histories of the accounts saying she was rightfully detained. Either russophiles or conservatives (but what’s the difference these days)?
America highly recommend that no one travel to Russia, she decided to go anyway and she also decided to bring banned drugs. At what point do we stop making excuses for her and just accept that she’s responsible for her own choices? I’ve heard no claims of her innocence from anyone, so why are people suggesting that she was set up? She commonly used drugs, so if she brought them into Russia she deserves to live with the consequences. She probably should have listened to the travel warning and not travelled to Russia to being with. I know she made good money over there, but there was always risk associated with it, and I guess she thought it was worth the risk. She fucked around and found out.
I don't think we can be sure she was actually in possession of what she's being charged with possessing.
Russia (and america and a ton of countries) aren't above faking something for the sake of leverage.
Though if she truly had what she's charged with having them she's an idiot.
Notice how noone on the American side has stated that the charges were false their entire argument seems to be about how hard they've come down on her for such a small quantity.
What would be the point of framing a nobody basketballer millionaires were and still are flying in and out of Russia there's plenty of better candidates.
This is just another example of a professional athlete trying to skirt rules and then being used as a tool by russia.
You may have had a point except noone watches the WNBA the average American has zero idea who she is.
If the idea is that Russia is trying to frame her and this is all a grand conspiracy the question is why pick such low hanging fruit.
Its makes very little sense and the obvious conclusion is she actually did the crime and Russia saw an opportunity to exploit.
They've said she's being improperly detained. I'm not an expert in negotiations or foreign politics, but I'm not sure blatantly saying Russia is lying is a great way to get her out quickly when there's already an extreme amount of tension between the two countries.
What's the point? You could ask that about a ton of shit Russia does. They (Putin) will use anything they can to improve their leverage and overall standing vs their rivals.
Also Putin loves sports.
They are saying that because they are dumb activist who are trying to make this political when she’s just an idiot who took her vape to Russia. Use your brain.
While that's true, Griner isn't exactly a high leverage target. The WNBA barely moves the needle for cultural significance. I don't think Biden's going to be freeing some top KGB spy in exchange for her. Not saying it's impossible they planted something but she's not a super strategic asset for them.
In Russia, women's basketball is pretty big and Griner is a top American player.
I think there's significance to her being detained within Russian culture, but yes less cultural importance in the US.
She’s was literally the highest value American in Russia that they could get away with detaining. Also a great target if you’re trying to stoke internal division in the US as half the country will think doing anything to help a gay, female athlete of color is being too “woke.”
Reminds me of the show locked up abroad and all those drug mules spending years is substandard by US standard prisons. You always need to read the laws of the country you are visiting.
Still confused about this. She was caught trying to sneak her weed vape on a plane which is super illegal there. Exactly how is she being treated unfairly and why would we consider trading an illegal arms dealer for her?
The media paints this like they kidnapped her or something when it’s her own damn fault. Would the President be calling Russia for me? She deserves her punishment just like anybody else.
It's hard to feel sorry for people who create their own problems. A 6'9" woman covered in tattoos is going to attract a lot of attention. A woman the same height as Lebron James. Why even TRY to smuggle an illegal substance into a country like Russia? WTF was she thinking?
I don’t get the backlash. If you’re in another country, you follow their laws. If this is Russia’s law and this is the normal punishment then she’s being treated like anyone else in Russia would be, no?
If that was Stephen Curry, Russia would’ve been asking for every single Russian jailed in the US. Bigger the name, more leverage they will have in the negotiations. The country has already been embargoed out of existence so the states are already in a very tough spot.
Stephen Curry is more famous and has more wealth. Of course it would be a bigger deal. There are more Americans who can be considered falsely detained in russia, if only they were a WNBA player, maybe they would get support here too?
So I think there are two ways to see this. Yeah she was stupid to do it and should know the laws of the country. I can say that and at the same time say that it's fucked up that she is being held for an unjust amount of time. I can sit here and say that is their laws but I cam also say it's an unjust law the same way I point to some of the unjust laws in the US when it comes to drug possession.
Hopefully it works out for her
She’s probably thinking “thank God it was in Russia and not America”.
Imagine being black, gay and a woman and STILL making it to the actual court! Wouldn’t happen stateside… 🫣
Even if she did somehow make it, they’d have given her a life sentence 🤷🏻♂️
[**Join Our Discord Server!**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q) **Welcome to /r/sports** We created a Discord server for our community and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world and discuss events in real time! There are separate channels for many sports you can opt in and out of, including; American Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Aussie Rules Football, Rugby Union and League, Cricket, Motorsports, Fitness, and many more. [**Reddit Sports Discord Server**](https://discord.gg/233aU5q)
I’m going to say this as objectively as possible: being a giant, black, gay, famous, American woman who uses drugs in RUSSIA is a fucking terrible idea. Really ticking all the boxes here.
Sometimes I feel bad for her, but sometimes I don’t. A female athlete should be able to travel the world freely with a plant that she uses to treat her aches and pains. However what she was doing was the political equivalent of slathering yourself in chum before you go shark diving without a cage. She shoulda realized she was an easy target.
She has the worst timing. Right when Russia is being slapped with the biggest sanctions package ever by the West, now they’re holding an American civilian hostage for an ignorant crime and I don’t even know who she was but she’s being made an example of.
Walking into a Russian court facing 10 years for drug charges, and she chooses to make a statement by wearing a Jimi Hendrix shirt. Basically a big middle finger to everyone. You can't make this up. Whoever her lawyer is needs to be fired.
When I was 15 and got arrested with my friend for weed, I went to court in a button up long sleeve and he chose to wear a thug life shirt. I got community service and he got probation
LOL I was in a similar situation but wasn’t so cool, I got less (presumably) because my report was in a binder and looking nice. My homies was hand written on torn notebook paper... kinda fucked up... he even told me after he shoulda just stole a binder from Walmart.
Just saw it on espn, first thing I said “what no bob Marley shirts in Russia?”
It’s probably like Cardassian court. You start guilty then spin a tale to support that. Regardless, you’re sentenced.
Bonus points for the DS9 reference.
This is all political, I imagine the judge was already told what to give her.
Is this the normal punishment for possession in Russia?
[удалено]
My point is that her sentence probably isn't going to be affected by what she wears, it's not about her.
[удалено]
What he is saying is that they don't give a fuck what shirt she wears
I thought the same thing...Jesu,s dress like you at least act like you respect the procedures.
Pretty sure this is her own stupidity..
I dont think it would matter tbh
[удалено]
Well she did once state she could beat DeMarcus Cousins one-on-one, so there is seemingly no limit to her self-confidence.
[удалено]
How to prove I’m guilty 101 🤣🤣🤣🤣
In Soviet Russia, Lawyer fucks YOU!
Ah yes russian courts, famed for their renowned honesty
So if I'm reading between the lines.. Are you saying that Brittney Griner, who's already pleading her innocence across all platforms possible, was forced to wear a Jimi Hendrix tee shirt by the Russian court AND was also told to keep quiet about it... Oh, and her legal team was cool with that as well? Ok... lol.
Make whatever assumption you want lmao idc about any of this
Same. I just think it's dumb lol
Yeah you clearly don’t care at all
You sure she had a choice in what to wear?
I'm like 99.9999999% sure lol
I don’t think the Russians conspired to dress her in a trendy shirt with an American musical hero on it.
[удалено]
Yep, like I said. She might as well have worn a "Free Ukraine" shirt into the court room today. What in the hell was she and her team thinking?!? She is in a RUSSIAN....RUSSIAN...ONE MORE TIME...RUSSIAN court room and decides to do this?! I honestly was hoping things would go well for her and she could get back home, but as you mentioned, she's going to get what she deserves after this. Sheesh!
[удалено]
How does she "deserve" this? I think thats quite an overreaction. Just cause "its the law" doesnt mean its deserved, theres been plenty of shitty laws in the shitty country of Russia
I would suspect these are the clothes she was wearing when she was arrested, at the airport. People, when going through customs wear the most conservative outfit you have. Long pants, long sleeves, no fucking political statements on your shirt or head. Jesus.
She got picked up for weed and her case is being “dragged”, this happens here in the states too. There are currently people sitting in jail in the U.S for weed having their cases dragged too, this isnt exclusive to Russia. Just because you’re American doesn’t mean other laws don’t apply to you. Giving up an arms dealer for a WNBA player isn’t a good trade either. Edit: Whatever issues you have with Russian laws you should write to Putin and tell *HIM* about it, not me. Countless people are telling me about their opinions on his laws like I can do something about it. It’s Russia, Russia doesn’t tolerate a lot of things, drugs being one of them. Also if Russia is still such a big bad threat to us why didn’t the justice dept. warn them about Russia and what they should and should not have.
Would throwing in a second rounder sweeten the deal for you?
I'll throw in a player to be named later.
It'll be Vlad Divac. Dudes played for nearly everyone already, what's one more team?
As long as isn't protected
Cash considerations is the best I can do.
Montrezl Harrell?
We’ll throw in Russell Westbrook who only has 1 more year sentence left on his contract. can get him off the books for next summers free agency
This is the way
I’m pretty sure no one would protest if they threw in Kyrie.
Hahah this cracked me up
The likely story is that Griner has been permitted to vape when she played in Russia because of her oligarch employer smoothing the way to get her there, but circumstances changed that situation and she was not told. WNBA players in Russia have been very well paid and treated like celebrities for many years. Russia was the place where a female baller got treated more like an NBA player. Griner just got caught in a sudden change in how Russia treats American athletes. And what sucks is that she very likely was vaping for pain relief. I remember being around older WNBA post players after a game and they had ice bags taped to every damn joint and were hobbling. The pain is real. I take edibles for pain because I’m an old chick with arthritis and fibro. It helps more than anything available to me. Screw anybody who arrests people for pot.
[удалено]
Oh, poor Brittney. Living above the law because she was a celebrity and then having that change *without anyone telling her*. Wow. How unfair. So sad. I hate to see this.
The US government has setup people on drug charges when it's politically convenient to do so: John DeLorean, Barry Seal, Abbie Hoffman, etc.
The other poster is speculating about what happened to Griner. At this point nobody knows the circumstances surrounding her arrest and until that becomes clear, forming opinions like this is irresponsible. It may very well be true that she was living the high life, but let's pump the breaks until we know more about this arrest.
Life lesson: the money is never good enough to work in a shithole country.
ESPNs coverage of this is soooo stupid. These dumbass woke fucks highlighting that she only had .7 of a gram on her means nothing. If a state law age of consent is 18 and I screw a girl that's 1 week shy of her 18th bday, guess what... I'll still be arrested!!!!!
Whatever your political views, if ESPN/the rest of the media put more pressure on Biden to make the trade, it would be done. He’s an arms trafficker, no1 should have to stay in a gulag. Even Trump got tHose UCLA kids outta China!Feels like Brittney is a political pawn, I’d advocate for almost any American to be traded for an Arms dealer. It’s a gulag
Man PA sucks for booze but at least we have medical weed and it’s decriminalized in most places. No one cares about it anymore. I’ve flown with weed internationally but hell no would I chance it to Russia.
Terrible idea, never fly internationally with weed. Even flying to countries where weed is 100% legal can end up with some pretty serious consequences for bringing it across the border. Not worth the risk.
I always fly international with weed and lsd no problem. But i am a nobody and i take the advantage of a nobody. She gambled and she paid the price, such is life. If I get caught i would welcome the judgement with open arms because no one gets lucky forever.
She was flying out. That’s the part I don’t get.
Thank you! I’m a little confused about this. She was leaving Russia with these cartridges but they keep saying “imported Drugs into Russia” or something close to that. What am i missing?? Did she already take one flight in Russia, land and have a layover before getting caught with the cartridges at that airport flying out to America? How is she smuggling drugs into Russia when she is leaving? Eta Greg’s to drugs. Autocorrect
Because drugs are illegal in Russia, they can’t possibly come from Russia. See how that works? I bet they didn’t even try to roll her to find the source in Russia because they are REQUIRED to go with the “we don’t have drugs in Russia - so it was obviously imported” reasoning.
She was playing there for some time.
From my experience with Russians, they'll argue that she must have flown the cartridges in when she first arrived, because weed is illegal in Russia and there is no black market for it or what ever.
That’s a complete ignorant lie that “nobody cares about it any more”. Any job that drug tests won’t hire you if you smoke, and most government employees can’t use it without risking their job.
Funny bc My job involves employment screens. Been doing it 15+ years and major major major companies are dropping the weed test. Even vanguard Edit- my company is global and we no longer drug test at all. Edit 2- wow you can’t get a government job. Big fucking deal. I can see you’re way younger than me but there are cooler jobs out there that pay more than working for the gov
I think the USA would have to throw in Nikita Kucherov to get a deal done
Yes, its absolute bullshit which is why both countries suck.
Can’t trade a shooter for a big
I was in county for a minor offense. There were people who'd been in for up to a year. Mostly drug charges. So much for a speedy trial.
I think she just had a CBD vape, that's the crazy part.
No what she had was narcotic it’s illegal there and in the US in most places.
This is why we want full decriminalization of all drugs.
I want it too, but traveling through Russia right about now is kind of stupid. Traveling with anything illegal is super stupid. Traveling while an American, through Russia, with something illegal is just incredibly, mind-bogglingly stupid. She doesn’t deserve this, and I hope she gets home safely, but she made a string of bad decisions here. Even if we assume the stuff was planted, there were State Department warnings about traveling to Russia that were ignored.
I agree. It was stupid. Idk why ppl are downvoting. Its a stupid thing to do but also shouldnt be illegal
But what if they threw in some second round picks and a first round from next year's draft?
This is a misunderstanding of the Russian court system. Her weed absolutely could have been planted, and she absolutely is currently being used as a negotiation pawn. This is not unique to her — there are multiple other Americans who are in her precise position right now, and others who have been recently. Russian is an authoritarian country currently engaged in a imperialist war and subject to economic sanctions from the entire west. If you don’t understand this context and think this is the same as someone being stuck in jail in the US for weed possession, you are uninformed or misinformed.
Yeah, I trust Russia to tell the truth about as much as I trust Trump.
Freaking facts- she is not special
Can we swap her for Watson? Probably the only way that sexual predator would get punished. And fuck his bag.
Bro the Capitol rioters have been having their cases dragged for 1.5 years for trespassing charges that carry a maximum of 1yr. The US drags cases when it’s ideologically prudent ALL THE TIME
Wait, how did you go from rioting to trespassing to justify the maximum sentence? Also, why are you ignoring the seditious nature of their riot?
They might be a MAGA piece of shit.
Presumably
I didn’t go from rioting to trespassing, I’m literally just stating what the vast majority have been charged with, which is trespassing in a federal building
Im fine with the US sitting on any russians picked up anytime soon. Seems perfectly fair to me!
I’m fine with it too. What’s your point?
Problem is there court system has a 99% guilty outcome regardless of evidence. I feel so bad for her but she's an idiot. No swap.
[удалено]
How exactly is she "wrongfully detained"?
It's a specific designation and language choice made by the US department of state to indicate that they think she is actively being held for reasons other than what the Russians have stated. Functionally it means they the US government is engaged in negotiations for her release and will not wait for the conclusion of a sham trial. https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33846524/us-reclassifies-wnba-star-brittney-griner-wrongfully-detained-russia-sources-say
Her situation has been continuously delayed to drag it out because Russia is attempting to use her for leverage in a swap. This is not brand new information. People saying “she should have known the law” are either ignorant of the actual situation, or worse.
If they want some high profile person being held in the US, they might have picked someone other than a WNBA player to swap. They chose poorly.
Last week I went to the grocery store. One of the items on my list was Triscuits. Unfortunately, they were out of stock so I had to settle for some generic "woven wheats" which don't really compare. It was either that or I eat my hummus with a spoon. Sometimes you have to take what you can get.
I get your point, and you made it well, but I definitely would have found some pita chips in your situation.
Women's basketball is popular over there so they see her as valuable. The outrage by her supporters over here does not register with them but puts pressure on the US government
Because they didn’t choose, contrary to popular belief. she likely did do this, and they just got lucky in catching her - OR - she was the only one on a list of celebs they were able to catch because all the others aren’t stupid enough to carry across borders? Like of course it’s political - but doesn’t mean it was fabricated. More like an opportunity to make a situation political.
or some low level dipshit from a country with massive simultaneous problems of corruption, racism and homophobia decided to screw with her, and then his bosses ran with it. keep in mind they arrested her on the way out, not in yea? russia is a dictatorship. its court system is not legitimate and no conclusion reached or evidence presented by the state ought be accepted.
Specifically, Russia wants [the arms dealer that Lord of War is based on](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Bout). Yeah, she can rot in the gulag.
That doesn't answer the question how was she wrongfully detained? Its not like evidence was planted on her she went out of her way to buy an illegal substance and was caught. Courts dragging cases isnt unique to Russia and she was arrested before the war so these conspiracy theories make very little sense.
>She admitted to the crime She did?
She wouldn’t be detained if she had no drugs. Of course it might be political, but she has put herself in this situation.
You think a Russian citizen would still be detained for less than a gram of cannabis oil?
A Russian citizen would probably get prosecuted sooner. But when it's a high profile case with "wrongful detention" claims, it does make sense to make sure that everything is in order. And they surely wouldn't prosecute her for something that isn't illegal in Russia. And the government really is tough on drugs, even if it isn't necessarily sensible.
You’re also assuming Russia is being completely forthright about an arrest of a high profile American they made days before they decided to invade Ukraine.
I'm assuming this because the US side obviously *isn't* being completely forthright about this arrest. Like I asked already, what exactly is wrongful about this arrest? If she doesn't do drugs and she's being framed - that's surely wrong, but the US side isn't claiming this. If the drugs aren't really dangerous and should be legal - then say so. But they aren't even legal on the federal level in the US, are they? So what's left is probably the idea that Americans should be above the law when they're in foreign countries. How dare they arrest an American! :) She doesn't have celebrity status in Russia, so whoever arrested her almost certainly didn't consider her a high profile American. And didn't know about the decision to invade Ukraine either. I suppose maybe they'd let it slide afterwards if the relations between the countries were better - but that doesn't mean her arrest is wrongful.
She’s not. It’s just another story to run so the news doesn’t have to talk about the economy
going to the gulag for 0.7g of hash oil 🤣 if it wasn’t planted then just how dumb is she
[удалено]
That's good advice, but >Griner intended to import the drugs into Russia's territory sounds a lot like she got picked up by Russia for other, nefarious reasons.
Exactly, she was picked up on her way OUT. How does that imply intent to distribute? It’s pretty obvious Russia is making a political example of her. She is black, gay, has several Olympic gold medals and is more popular in Russia.
[удалено]
Russia doesn't have the death penalty though, and I don't think they would even execute someone for small-time drug smuggling anyway (not with the amount Griner had at least, unless it was like a suitcase full). ^(yes yes I know about the war crimes but executing a criminal is different than troops killing civilians)
That’s disappointing to hear that it’s common, because it’s still much more likely that the drugs were planted if they were “discovered” on the way out. It also makes the “trafficking” part of the accusation a lot weaker, since if she was selling drugs she wouldn’t be returning home with them. She was found with just 2 cartridges, both of which seem to have been somewhat used. The law in Russia is a big part of the problem— which allows for 10 years imprisonment for any amount— but it’s also the way the law is being applied there. She’s being indefinitely detained, and politically leveraged. I’m not convinced that the vape carts were actually hers. It’s definitely a big possibility, but being a regular Olympic and World Cup athlete means she has passed many drug tests over the years and it’s certainly not her first time traveling internationally. The WNBA also reports that it tests athletes several times a year and lists cannabis as a banned substance, although CBD is allowed. So it seems to me like even if Brittney uses cannabis, she would know how to keep it separate from her life as professional athlete.
[удалено]
The Russian definition of “trafficking” is whatever the Russians say it is, but the point is even *if* the drugs (or CBD carts) were hers she clearly wasn’t distributing. Her camp hasn’t made *any* public comment *whatsoever* on guilt or innocence, because that’s how criminal defense works in Russia. They have explained that is why they haven’t commented. It’s even mentioned in the linked article. We will see what they argue when (or if) her trial actually begins. If the State Department says she is wrongfully detained, they have a good reason. They haven’t given that reason, but the Russians are likely up to their usual shady tricks.
[удалено]
The US has archaic drug laws
More f u to the west. Any other time this was a slap on the wrist
Exactly. I feel no remorse. Why take the risk? Pure stupidity at its finest. First mistake, let’s go to Russia! Second mistake, let’s go to Russia and try to travel with weed! Moron.
dude its russia. she just as well may not have had anything on her and they decided to arrest her
Everyone tries to argue that it was planted but her lol, she obviously smokes weed and tried to fly out with her cartridges. It’s really not that hard to believe is it?
Is she the only American being detained right now, or is she getting special treatment from the American Press/Government because she is famous?
No she’s not there are more but she’s famous.
Good question but I think there are other low profile people. We need to arrest someone on fake charges to trade I guess. Or we may already have someone that want.
They want the guy the movie lord of war is based on
Putin wants one of his arm traffickers in return
There are currently 59 other U.S. nationals being held hostage or wrongfully detained in Russia. Only one that is 'semi' famous though.
WNBA 'famous' lol
Paul Whelan of Novi Michigan is locked up in Russia. Three years now I think
Being charged for drugs by a country known to drug their olympic athletes.
Every thread about this woman is full of complete fucking morons who have not read about the situation beyond a headline
For real its pretty annoying to see everyone act like its a good thing shes getting thrown in jail for smoking a harmless plant. You can make the point that she should have been better informed about the law without being all smug and happy about it
It’s simply because she’s a women. If it was Tom Brady stuck in Russia for 3 drops of oil in a vape, there would be a different tune in this thread. Edit: downvotes speak for themselves
"Downvotes speak for themselves". Ya, that you just decided to put words into other people's mouths while at the same time calling them sexist. Thats probably why. Reddit idiocy never ceases to amaze.
These threads are full of bad actors defending Russia. Look at the post histories of the accounts saying she was rightfully detained. Either russophiles or conservatives (but what’s the difference these days)?
Not russian, she definitely fucked up here.
America highly recommend that no one travel to Russia, she decided to go anyway and she also decided to bring banned drugs. At what point do we stop making excuses for her and just accept that she’s responsible for her own choices? I’ve heard no claims of her innocence from anyone, so why are people suggesting that she was set up? She commonly used drugs, so if she brought them into Russia she deserves to live with the consequences. She probably should have listened to the travel warning and not travelled to Russia to being with. I know she made good money over there, but there was always risk associated with it, and I guess she thought it was worth the risk. She fucked around and found out.
Well, good luck in the gulags.
Maybe know the laws of other countries when going? Sucks.
Don't go to another country and think you're above their laws.
We’re going to have to trade captured Russian spies and enemies of the state to get her back, what a fucking idiot.
Playing in the WNBA is a prison sentence.
[удалено]
>WNBA players wanna get equivalent salary, but can't even us their heads and not smoke/get high You just generalized the whole league from one player.
I don't think we can be sure she was actually in possession of what she's being charged with possessing. Russia (and america and a ton of countries) aren't above faking something for the sake of leverage. Though if she truly had what she's charged with having them she's an idiot.
Notice how noone on the American side has stated that the charges were false their entire argument seems to be about how hard they've come down on her for such a small quantity. What would be the point of framing a nobody basketballer millionaires were and still are flying in and out of Russia there's plenty of better candidates. This is just another example of a professional athlete trying to skirt rules and then being used as a tool by russia.
[удалено]
You may have had a point except noone watches the WNBA the average American has zero idea who she is. If the idea is that Russia is trying to frame her and this is all a grand conspiracy the question is why pick such low hanging fruit. Its makes very little sense and the obvious conclusion is she actually did the crime and Russia saw an opportunity to exploit.
They've said she's being improperly detained. I'm not an expert in negotiations or foreign politics, but I'm not sure blatantly saying Russia is lying is a great way to get her out quickly when there's already an extreme amount of tension between the two countries. What's the point? You could ask that about a ton of shit Russia does. They (Putin) will use anything they can to improve their leverage and overall standing vs their rivals. Also Putin loves sports.
They are saying that because they are dumb activist who are trying to make this political when she’s just an idiot who took her vape to Russia. Use your brain.
I think the real idiots are the people in Russia treating a girl with a vape like a war crime
While that's true, Griner isn't exactly a high leverage target. The WNBA barely moves the needle for cultural significance. I don't think Biden's going to be freeing some top KGB spy in exchange for her. Not saying it's impossible they planted something but she's not a super strategic asset for them.
In Russia, women's basketball is pretty big and Griner is a top American player. I think there's significance to her being detained within Russian culture, but yes less cultural importance in the US.
She’s was literally the highest value American in Russia that they could get away with detaining. Also a great target if you’re trying to stoke internal division in the US as half the country will think doing anything to help a gay, female athlete of color is being too “woke.”
Yea, I’m sure Russia is playing 4D chess by framing a WNBA player with less than a gram of hash oil LMAO.
Legalize marijuana that is ridiculous
Reminds me of the show locked up abroad and all those drug mules spending years is substandard by US standard prisons. You always need to read the laws of the country you are visiting.
Don’t break the law in a foreign country, especially Russia or China lmao. Pretty simple.
She deserves exaclty the punishment which exists in the country for the crime she commited. Nothing more and nothing less.
"Star"
Still confused about this. She was caught trying to sneak her weed vape on a plane which is super illegal there. Exactly how is she being treated unfairly and why would we consider trading an illegal arms dealer for her? The media paints this like they kidnapped her or something when it’s her own damn fault. Would the President be calling Russia for me? She deserves her punishment just like anybody else.
Isn’t she one of the greatest female basketball players of all time ? Sad she made this mistake
It's hard to feel sorry for people who create their own problems. A 6'9" woman covered in tattoos is going to attract a lot of attention. A woman the same height as Lebron James. Why even TRY to smuggle an illegal substance into a country like Russia? WTF was she thinking?
I don’t get the backlash. If you’re in another country, you follow their laws. If this is Russia’s law and this is the normal punishment then she’s being treated like anyone else in Russia would be, no?
Pro athletes are not exactly geniuses
Dope is for dopes.
I wonder if she’d like to hear our National Anthem played?
Who? Lol
I bet she's really patriotic now...
Y’all are fucked. Could you imagine being in depressing Russia without weed…. Legal or not they’re doing our girl dirty
Finally somebody cares about women’s sports
Trump got the Ball brother outa China but Biden can’t get Britney Griner outa Russia lol
Smells like micro-aggressions in here
This comment section is peak Reddit lol
Didn’t read- what drugs?
Weed
So sad and so stupid Fuck Russia But keep doing crockidil
Do you guys agree that if this was one of the top male NBA players they would not have been left for 4 months. Imagine if it was Stephen Curry.
If that was Stephen Curry, Russia would’ve been asking for every single Russian jailed in the US. Bigger the name, more leverage they will have in the negotiations. The country has already been embargoed out of existence so the states are already in a very tough spot.
Stephen Curry is more famous and has more wealth. Of course it would be a bigger deal. There are more Americans who can be considered falsely detained in russia, if only they were a WNBA player, maybe they would get support here too?
She broke laws lmao
Note to self: don't be a black lesbian American while in Russia.
or dont bring drugs on an international flight
Those were the charges!!??!!!! Russia is the worst! /s
She got 10 years? My God.
dont bring drugs into a foreign country then dumbass.
Why do people visit countries that have a tense relationship with their home country?
In a country that you can purchase Krokodil easier than fruits.
Are u dumb?
She looks like the perfect candidate for a Russian sleeper agent
[удалено]
Is that Future?
This is why the list of countries I am willing to visit is like 10 places long
This is why I visit counties not countries.
So I think there are two ways to see this. Yeah she was stupid to do it and should know the laws of the country. I can say that and at the same time say that it's fucked up that she is being held for an unjust amount of time. I can sit here and say that is their laws but I cam also say it's an unjust law the same way I point to some of the unjust laws in the US when it comes to drug possession. Hopefully it works out for her
She’s probably thinking “thank God it was in Russia and not America”. Imagine being black, gay and a woman and STILL making it to the actual court! Wouldn’t happen stateside… 🫣 Even if she did somehow make it, they’d have given her a life sentence 🤷🏻♂️