BRITTNEY GRINER

Plenty of Americans don't support the US government's efforts to bring Brittney Griner home. A hostage taking and recovery expert tells Insider why.

The U.S. and Russia are trying to work out a prisoner exchange that involves basketball star Brittney Griner. While they've done deals for decades, the trading usually involves spies for spies.

Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

Catch up on key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard slammed Vice-President Kamala Harris in response to her tweet condemning Russia on WNBA star Brittney Griner's imprisonment.

"The U.S. already has made mistakes, trying to solve such problems via 'microphone diplomacy.' They are not solved that way," Kremlin spokesman said.

Russia will discuss a prisoner exchange involving the basketball star but not in public, said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Griner's teammates say they approached Thursday's game "with a heavy heart": "It's like you're just waiting for a bomb to drop."

The Kremlin says it’s open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.

The White House has urged Russia to accept its offer of a deal for the release of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan

The WNBA player was detained in February and accused of drug smuggling after officials said they found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage.

Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.

Following Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russia to nine years in prison Thursday, WNBA players, coaches and fans locked arms and tried to send the American basketball star strength during a moment of silence.

The White House says it is "willing to take every step necessary" to free American basketball star Brittney Griner from a Russian jail. Griner was convicted and sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling. (Aug. 4)

On Aug. 4, WNBA star Brittney Griner learned her fate after spending nearly six months in a Russian prison, following accusations that she had smuggled drugs into the country.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested nearly six months ago at a Moscow airport over cannabis vape cartridges found in her luggage.

Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison on Thursday after being found guilty of drug smuggling with criminal intent.

Now that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been convicted of drug possession and sentenced to nine years in prison, attention turns to the prospect of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia that could get her home.

Russia will regard any prisoner swap as a propaganda win. But the real message we can proclaim is about American values.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for drug charges.

Russian prison guards and inmates told Griner "everything will be OK!" ahead of her trial, where she was sentenced to nine years in prison overseas.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in prison in a Russian court for drug smuggling.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested nearly six months ago at a Moscow airport over cannabis vape cartridges found in her luggage.

WASHINGTON – A Russian court on Thursday found Brittney Griner guilty on drug charges, as the U.S. government scrambles to secure the WNBA star's release. During closing arguments, Russian prosecutors asked the court to sentence her to nine-and-a-half years in prison. Last month, Griner pleaded guilty to the charges but said that she had unintentionally packed the cannabis canisters in her suitcase because she was in a hurry. "We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters last week. "This is delicate work," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a White House press briefing.

EVGENIA NOVOZHENINAA Russian court has found WNBA star Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling charges and sentenced her to nine years in prison.The verdict came down shortly after prosecutors demanded she be sentenced to nine years and six months behind bars, just four months shy of the maximum punishment provided for by Russian law. Griner, charged with drug smuggling after Russian authorities discovered vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport in February, pleaded

The trial is nearing its end nearly six months after the WNBA star's arrest at a Moscow airport.

The trial is nearing its end nearly six months after the WNBA star's arrest at a Moscow airport.

Given that Russian courts rarely acquit defendants and Griner has acknowledged that there were vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage, judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.

Given that Russian courts rarely acquit defendants and Griner has acknowledged that there were vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage, judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.

Griner's defense attorney called for her to be acquitted, or for the court to show leniency in any punishment she's given, as the month-long trial in Russia on drug charges winds down.

Griner's defense attorney will also speak at Thursday's court session in Moscow, and the basketball star will likely give a statement on her own behalf as her trial on drug charges winds to a close.

A judge in Russia convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling.

The WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist could face up to 10 years in Russian prison.

American basketball star Brittney Griner is back in court for her trial for cannabis possession amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure her release.

American basketball star Brittney Griner was back in court on Tuesday for her trial for cannabis possession amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure her release. During the hearing, prosecutors called a state narcotics expert who analyzed cannabis found in Griner's luggage. Griner was escorted into court in handcuffs and placed inside a cage in the trial in Khimki, a town on the northern edge of Moscow.

The sports star's high-profile case has encouraged families with detained loved ones to seize the moment.

Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate expanded from a tiny and cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-US diplomacy

Since Brittney Griner last appeared in her trial for cannabis possession, the question of her fate has expanded from a cramped courtroom on Moscow’s outskirts to the highest level of Russia-U.S. diplomacy.

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"She knew you don't go in there loaded up with drugs, and she admitted it. I assume she admitted it without too much force," Trump said of Griner.

Russian officials are asking that a former colonel from Russia’s domestic spy agency be included in the proposed prisoner swap, according to CNN.

Former President Donald Trump said Saturday it "doesn't seem" like a good trade if the U.S. exchanges WNBA star Brittney Griner for a Russian arms dealer.

The U.S. has made a 'substantial' offer to free Americans from Russia, but the release of Bout would be controversial.

Russia wants to add murderer to prisoner swap for Griner, Whelan: Report

It was the first time he and Sergey Lavrov have spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine six months ago.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he has spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and urged Moscow to accept a U.S. proposal to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detainee, Paul Whelan.

D'Andra Moss tells Newsy while Griner is resilient, her loved ones are still worried about her being detained in Russia.

Russia's top diplomat says he’s open to a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss a possible prisoner swap involving American basketball star Brittney Griner.

There is growing speculation that the Russian arms dealer could be released from U.S. prison in exchange for Russia freeing Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

There is growing speculation that the Russian arms dealer could be released from U.S. prison in exchange for Russia freeing Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Russian officials said Thursday that negotiations had been taking place for a possible prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, but that a deal had not yet been reached.

The Kremlin has warned that a possible prisoner swap with the United States involving American basketball star Brittney Griner needs to be negotiated quietly without fanfare.

Arrested in Moscow with medical marijuana in his luggage, Marc Fogel’s case parallels the ordeal of WNBA star Brittney Griner. But his plight has mostly gone unnoticed.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he intends to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, for the first time since the country invaded Ukraine in February, about an offer to release detained Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

The secretary of state said securing the Americans' release remains a "top priority" for the U.S.

The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

The Biden administration is seeking the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan.

It is unclear what the deal is, or whether it will be enough for Russia to release the Americans.

The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan.

The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since before Russia invaded Ukraine. The statement marked the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed any concrete action it has taken to secure the release of Griner, who was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February and testified Wednesday at her trial.

WNBA star Brittney Griner testified in a Russian court on Wednesday that she was never informed of her rights, was not provided thorough interpretations, and was not told which documents she was signing when she was detained in a Moscow airport in February.

WNBA star Brittney Griner testified at her drug possession trial in Russia that an interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during questioning when she was detained at Moscow’s airport in February and officials told her to sign documents without giving an explanation.

The drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner in a Russian court focused Tuesday on testimony that cannabis, while illegal in Russia, is regarded in other countries as having legitimate medicinal use.

The spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry says the United States has shown disrespect for Russian law by characterizing basketball star Brittney Griner’s jailing on drug charges as “wrongful detention.”.

Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner was front and center at The ESPYS.

The Las Vegas Aces have come out of the All-Star break on a roll, winning three road games and scoring more than 100 points in two of victories.

A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial has given a Russian court a letter from a U.S. doctor recommending she use cannabis to treat pain.

The drug possession trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner has resumed, with the head of the Russian club she plays for in the offseason and a teammate from that squad testifying in support of her character and what she has meant for women’s basketball in the country.

A Russian arms dealer labeled the “Merchant of Death” and who once inspired a Hollywood movie is back in the headlines again.

LeBron James is publicly criticizing the United States’ handling of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s case in a trailer for an upcoming episode of his television show: “The Shop: Uninterrupted.”.

WNBA enters final month of the season with 11 of 12 teams in contention for playoff spots and five franchises within three games of each other atop the standings.

A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and the rest of the WNBA All-Stars lined up along the sideline after halftime, the No. 42 and the name Griner on the back of all of their jerseys.

Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are playing in the WNBA All-Star Game for the last time.

Nneka Ogwumike says Brittney Griner is an American hero.

President Joe Biden has spoken by phone with the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than three years.

When Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession in a Russian court, hopes rose that her months of detention may soon be over, either through a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap or a pardon from President Vladimir Putin.

Brittney Griner's guilty plea has not lessened the support the Olympic gold medalist continues to receive from her WNBA peers.

WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession charges on the second day of her trial in a Russian court in a case that could see her sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

They shared laughs, smiles, memories.

The White House says President Joe Biden has called the wife of WNBA player Brittney Griner, who is detained in Russia, and has pledged he's working to win her release as soon as possible.

Brittney Griner made an appeal to President Joe Biden in a letter passed on to the White House through her representatives saying she feared she may never return home and asking that he not “forget about me and the other American Detainees.”.

Watch newscasts from WJXT Channel 4 The Local Station and live camera feeds of Jacksonville, Florida, on News4JAX.com.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has gone on trial in a Russian court on charges of possessing cannabis oil.

WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a court near Moscow that ordered her trial on cannabis possession charges to begin Friday, about 4 1/2 months after she was arrested at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.

Brittney Griner will have a place at the WNBA All-Star Game.

The White House says a phone call between jailed WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife is being rescheduled after an earlier attempt to connect on the couple’s anniversary failed because of an “unfortunate mistake."

WNBA star Brittney Griner tried to call her wife nearly a dozen times through the American embassy in Russia on the couple’s fourth anniversary Saturday, but they never connected since the phone line at the embassy was not staffed.

U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner will remain in Russian custody through at least July 2 after her detention was extended for a third time, Russian state-run media has reported.

State Department officials have met with representatives of Brittney Griner’s WNBA team about the Phoenix Mercury star’s monthslong detention in Russia and the Biden administration’s efforts to secure her release.

Penny Taylor used her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame to call for the release of her former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

WNBA star Brittney Griner is easily the most prominent American locked up by a foreign country.

Brittney Griner hasn’t been forgotten at the NBA Finals.

Brittney Griner has been able to receive emails and letters from WNBA players to an account Griner’s agent set up to allow them to communicate with her.

Doja Cat could make the BET Awards her world later this month.

Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle wants President Joe Biden to secure her partner’s release, doing whatever is necessary to get the WNBA star home from Russia where she has been detained for more than three months.

The State Department said Tuesday that it still pushing to have regular contact with WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for nearly three months.

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was on her way to morning shootaround when she heard the news that Russia had extended Brittney Griner’s pre-trial detention another 30 days.

The lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner says her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month.

As WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner approaches the three-month mark of her detention in Russia, she has no clear prospect of release.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 20 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-80 night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.