Brittney Griner's Russian Detainment: A Timeline of Events

By Jocelyn Alano September 06, 2024 05:28

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

What happened to Brittney Griner in Russia was quite the circus of stakes and moving parts, one that reverberated overseas.

All eyes are on Brittney Griner, a rising star in women's basketball who typically dominates the court with her elite level of play. Griner, born Oct. 18, 1990, in Houston, Texas, vaulted to the national stage at Baylor University during her college career, where she helped lead the team to a National Championship over Notre Dame back and claimed all six women's basketball player of year awards.

In addition to her athletic success, Griner has been a vocal proponent of LGBTQ+ rights and has taken the opportunity provided by sports stardom to speak out on social issues. With her experience winning at the highest level, she's proven to be a versatile player throughout her career.

February 17, 2022: The Arrest

USA Today reported that Brittney Griner is being held at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on February 17, 2022. Russian authorities said that her luggage was found to contain cartridges with cannabis oil, a drug classed as illegal in Russia.

February 24, 2022: Russia Announces Invasion of Ukraine

Griner was arrested a week before Russia invaded Ukraine, further tension between the Western countries and the US with Russia. That difficult, charged geopolitical environment made it harder for the United States to negotiate Griner's release through diplomacy since Washington had levied sanctions on Russia.

March 5, 2022: News of Seizure Emerges

Griner's detainment came to light in early March, causing a level of expression that ranged from ominous. Griner's family and the U.S. State Department, which had limited official access to her at that time, quickly began working behind the scenes on a strategy meant to free Griner from what would turn out to be an extended detention period in Russia.

March 17, 2022: Detainment

Bail was denied for Griner, and a Russian court said she could not leave the country as the investigation into her case played out in other courts. That sparked criticism of the judge's decision from U.S. officials, who have not yet been given consular access to Griner.

July 1, 2022: Trial Begins

As Griner's detainment dragged on, preparations for her trial began. Her arrest was dubbed a wrongful detainment by the U.S. State Department, leading to her case being handled by the Office of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

On July 1, 2022, Russian prosecutors charged her with smuggling a "large consignment" of cannabis oil, which carries extreme penalties under the country's laws. The case garnered widespread media coverage and was openly scrutinized internationally.

August 4, 2022: Sentencing

Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison on Aug. 4, 2022. The sentence was widely criticized as heavy-handed, and many observers saw it in the context of strained U.S.-Russia relations.

October 25, 2022: Appeal Refused

The guilty verdict and sentence have to undergo an automatic review process by the Russian legal system in which a more senior panel of judges confirms, amends, or overturns them. Officials of the US kept negotiating, but things were running at a snail's pace.

November, 2022: Transfer to Penal Colony

In November, Griner was moved to a penal colony in Mordovia with a reputation for severe mistreatment of prisoners. American officials stepped up efforts to negotiate with the authorities for her release as Griner's attorneys voiced concerns about her welfare.

November 8, 2022: Release and Return

Brittney Griner was freed on December 8, 2022, after a prisoner exchange with Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout following months of negotiations.

Impact and Analysis

Sports and Politics

The detainment of Griner painted a challenging picture regarding the sport and international politics. Her case illustrated the dangers confronting athletes who travel outside their home countries, particularly in regions dealing with political discord. It was also an occasion for dialogue on the use of sports in diplomacy and for the government to protect its citizens abroad.

More Far-Reaching Consequences for Athletes

It's a good reminder of the kind of legal exposure some of athletes face when in these foreign countries. It highlighted the need to know local legal regulations, especially when international travel occurs with regionally disparate geopolitical tensions. A cautionary tale for athletes and sports organizations worldwide, Griner's ordeal has led her to open up in ways few public figures have about their dealings with oppressive foreign governments.

Griner being detained along with her release three weeks later, pending trial on charges of possession and smuggling drugs in Russia, was a huge sports-related story that also had international relations implications and human rights advocates calling foul. Her tale is a lesson in what diplomacy can achieve and the enduring plight of people trapped amid geopolitical tension.