Cherelle Griner spoke to Robin Roberts about her wife's nearly 100-day detention in Russia and the fight to bring her home. READ MORE: gma.abc/3GmjpVSa #ABCNews #BrittneyGriner #Russia
So I guess guilty until proven innocent doesn't work on your head. I suppose you were also there when she supposedly bought these hash cartridges. How is everyone so blindly ignorant to what the Russian government is able to do and what they're doing??? Do you all stand back so idle and accusatory this is going to happen to our government eventually all over the world.
The term "wrongfully detained" is just flat out disinformation. Russia has laws about bringing drugs into their country. They have set penalties. Griner knew bringing drugs into the country was illegal. She did it anyway and is being punished according to their laws. If we want other countries to respect our laws then we should respect theirs. Nothing wrongful about her detainment in the slightest.
How is she “wrongfully detained”? Just because it’s accepted in your country doesn’t mean it is for others. We must learn to respect other countries laws
It’s not legal here but they will give you a fine and tell you to make sure you check your bag before bringing it in next time But 10 years in prison for a Vape pen that’s too much let’s be real there are people in this country who have committed murder and didn’t even do 10 years
A corrupt law based in lies and evil is no law at all. Cannabis is a God given plant and no man has a right to imprison another for the use of it. Absurd and if you feel this is just, I hope you are shown the light.
She broke the law, I don't understand why people are shocked. When you go abroad, you are subject to and expected to respect the laws. Like anywhere else.
Punishment should match the crime. I dont like her politics nor the public gay movement being forced on ppl or the kids but thats no reason to lock her up for years over a tiny amount of personal use substance. It wasnt anthrax. A year maybe 2 then deport her.
I agree do the crime do the time... she knew it was illegal. I hope she gets sentenced for the 10 years tbh... just cause she plays basketball doesn't mean she should get special treatment.
@@cryptokingas8443 I agree. Problem with 10 yrs for minicule amounts of substance does not match the crime. You sound a bit disgruntled. Has your life not turned out as you thought it should? Do you resent this gay black women and her successes? Have you been a failure?
@@sorzin2289 exactly.... people are tripping like Russia is the bad guy. If a Russian got caught with cocain in an airport here or any drugs do you think we'd just say "hey we're gonna confiscate these and let you off with a warning, have a safe flight!" Hell no!
That wrongful detained tag sounds like some political jargon. I once would not eat my vegetables when I was little and was sent to my room to what seemed like an eternity. So I guess I was wrongful detained as well. IJS.
You can get detained in dubai for just basically being a Christian. In iran you can get killed for being a christian so country laws does not give them any excuse for treating a human being like this.
She kneels for the anthem and is anti American and now wants US help to get out of a Russian jail for bringing thc vapes through Russian airport. Bring thc vapes through Indiana airport and watch what happens.
@@bandersnatchbigfootexplore549 She kneels for the anthem and is anti American and now wants US help to get out of a Russian jail for bringing thc vapes through Russian airport. Bring thc vapes through Indiana airport and watch what happens.
If Britney was just a regular person no one would even be thinking about this, if America put this much effort on doing what’s right for all, America would be great
A ATTORNEY THAT'S NOT SMART ENOUGH TO SAY YOUR ASS GOT BUSTED, AND NOW YOU'RE A CRIMINAL IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T LIKE AMERICA OR GAYS SMART ON THEM, BUT SHE'S NOT A POLITICAL PON ARE YOU KINDING ME.? A ATTORNEY THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY OF A CRIMINAL CAUGHT ON VIDEO.
How you dummies don’t know it was planted there. She’s been in Russia for years not to know the law of the country. She would not in her right mind have vape in luggage if it’s against the law.
This is so juvenile on so many levels. The choices and decisions we make have consequences it's just that simple. Perhaps 9 years is rather harsh but she is in another country and she has to play by their laws.
Exactly they are acting like they hunted her down and made all this up.. she took a gamble and it didn’t work. 9 years is a long time and murderers barely get that here
@@KimmyLL1890 I'm not an expert on Russian laws but the same thing happens here in the USA. Some people get the max sentence for lesser crimes then others.
@@KimmyLL1890 I did state in my first post that I thought 9 years was rather harsh for her crime. So yes, I do have a problem with that. However, it still remains that our choices and decisions have consequences. Also, if you look back at other situations similar to this where a person is being held hostage or imprisoned in another country, we can see things typically don't happen over night but in some cases the people were eventually released and sent back to the USA.
I hope you americans finally realize how much freedom and rights you have in your country. In these last years I've seen too much complaining from some american citizens, especially very entiteld ones. Hope this woman gets humbled from this experience.
Thank you! I for one can APPRECIATE my country. People lose their LIVES to try and live here. And this woman refused to stand for our American Anthem . Guess she will have to learn Mother Russias anthem.
She's played in Russia for years and must have known the law in some way. Unless she thinks it didn't apply to vape oils etc. It can't be the first time she took her vape and oils over unless it is. Either that or she's been doing it and only now been caught. I'd feel sorry for anyone facing ten years for marijuana but laws are laws and Russia is not anywhere else.
How is the possibility of her being used as a political playing card not been considered with all the other things you listed to consider... How has no one thought the government planted because the US government has alway Russian major arms dealer. They want him back. There is a much bigger picture here that people are frighteningly, not seeing.
I can't believe what ppl right about her. She plays for crumbs as a female player in the USA compared to the male players. She is a star athlete and that seems not to count. All female athletes make a whole lot less than the males. Furthermore everyone talks like they are so perfect. No compassion there. I am also calling on USA who detain ppl for years and decades for a little bit of weed. How nobody stands up for them!!!
This woman refused to play in Indiana because she’d be “discriminated” against, advocated against the national anthem and decided to take her business to Russia (no discrimination there I’m sure) and broke their laws. Then she got classified as wrongfully detained SOLELY because of her d list celebrity status and intersectional traits and begged the country she repeatedly disrespected to save her from the country she apparently preferred to live her life in. Yea. Hard pass Brit. Don’t spend any time on this woman’s release. Let’s focus on bringing home ACTUALLY wrongfully detained people who didn’t break any laws.
EXACTLY, oh but she was wrongfully detained, yet in the videos she is calm as a cucumber when the airport security is going through her bags, not even making any fuss about being detained.This whole story is BS, and keeps getting undeserved attention because she is a WNBA "star" bunch of crap.
I spent a year as a contracter in Saudi Arabia and before I left at our orientation they told us if we break the law over there there is NOTHING that they can do for us. She is lucky she is in Russia and not in the Middle East. The laws for drugs in Saudi Arabia is death. She needs to do the time. She broke the law. She is no better than anyone else over there.
How do you know the drugs weren't planted on her by the Russian People In Government (i.e. PIGs). I think she was set up and it now a POW in a time of war.
I wish they would stop saying she was wrongfully detained. She brought a drug that is legal in most states of the USA but ILLEGAL in another country and she was caught!!!
@@destinywilliams9387 At least they fought for Us and didn’t take a knee and didn’t disrespect America…. I wouldn’t defend this pot head junkie that couldn’t be sober for a few days
@@billygarcia3404 who cares about America. America was still being America while African Americans were enslaved and tortured simply because of the color of one’s skin. Who care about these racist narcissists. You want to take it there? So can I Mr billy Garcia!
@@destinywilliams9387 you know what else you can take ? your ass out of this country if you feel like that and trust me ain’t no one going to stop you But remind yourself you’ll end up just like her begging to come back while your family grieves for government officials to help …. i get what your saying but that’s not the time we live in rn and we have evolved ….. imagine the things we can say to germany
@@Ghanaquankel2776 Will you and her supporters be flying into Russia to protest? Remember not to break Any laws in that place; the jails & especially the Gulag in Siberia isn’t nice.
@@OtmShank94 Trying to transport vape cartridges with cannabis oil in them past Russian customs. Moral of the story. Know the laws in countries you go to.
This is how it always is if it was a regular resident nobody cares but because we’re supposed to feel sorry for someone who does the same mistake but is famous we’re supposed to break our backs for that person
I'm sure everyone else locked up for smuggling/dealing drugs misses their family/friends too.. Im truly shocked she is being arrested after she did something illegal 🤯. and do not compare Marines to a WNBA player.
I don’t understand why people think that if they get caught in a foreign country with pot that it’s not a big deal. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. They’re not gonna say ok it’s just a little hash, let her go. Then they expect their country to intervene and get them out. Why would they, and why should they? I live in a country that has decriminalised cannabis, I would never dare bring some with me overseas. Scary.
Why would anyone assume she actually had cannabis? Why would anyone blindly accept Putin's word for ANYTHING, especially after what he did to Trevor Reed?
@@OtmShank94 LOL. Actual moron. Yeah, cause the Russian Government is going to plant marijuanna instead of other narcotics that carry heftier sentences. Griner is a known pothead and her behaviour of flagrant disregard for laws due to celebrity staus.
This is simple do not feel sorry for her. I traveled to Florida from WA. I made a point to not travel with Weed. I smoke daily and am responsible. This is not a story because she made a mistake. If you travel overseas you are "subject to the lands of the job". She went in Feb when we knew the war was on the brink. You make your bed and lay in it. She is not a POW and as a veteran, I don't think she is a top priority. Let this be a lesson to anyone use common sense this could have been avoided.
Lol... I know rules are rules and Russia have their own weird LAWS. But damn, they act like she was trying to smuggle some WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION or something. Lmao 🤣 Going through all this Bullshit over VAPE ??? RUSSIA SUCKS !!!!! I'm never going my ass over to visit that evil ass place, lol 😆
Only thing is ..her charges are not bogus .. she did the crime .. she got caught .. she and all her mouth pieces need to shut up ..quit trying to use resources that's needed for real emergency .. and do the time for YOUR crime ..peace ..
The reality is that there are consequences for bad choices. You are not in the US where you are privileged as an athlete, or a politician. The rules apply to all. Justice is supposed to be blind. When you are privileged, lady justice lifts the blindfold and takes a peek. Not in foreign countries.
He committed a crime and he absolutely deserves to be in prison. I'm surprised the media isn't using the trans card lol. Brittany isn't going to be given his hormones in a male prison in Russia 🤣. After all those BLM protests I guess the USA isn't as bad as he thought it was! Were are all his woke activist friends now? He deserves to do his time, don't commit crimes especially in RUSSIA!
I could understand if she forgot like half a joint or something in her bag ! But cartridges of hash ? She has traveled back and fourth from Russia knowing there rules and they don’t play ! 10 years is really harsh ! But can you imagine what happens to people that aren’t athletes or everyday regular people? She is lucky that all these people are at least trying to help her !
Agree! That looked like a lot of vape cartridges for a short stay, sounds more like she was loaded up for a party. Each of those pens is likely 1gm cartridges which is a felony in Texas, here are the other penalties: Found with less than a gram, you face up to two years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Found with one to four grams, you face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Found with four or more grams, you face up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. She did have a medical prescription but that only works in the US. So, the penalties are very consistent with US policy. Sounds like Russia actually gave her a break.
I can't believe her wife said that she had to go to Russia to work because that she could not make enough money here in the United States to sustain her life. Yet her wife is a lawyer & she is a big time basketball player. Just how much money do you really need to have a good life?!! And now it just shows about being greedy about having too much mmj products with you that are against the law & illegal in Russia & trying to pull a bunch of BS by saying you didn't know that stuff was in your things has really gotten you in trouble from breaking the law with illegal substances. At least you were honest by pleading guilty cuz you know that those mmj products were yours & you know that you did & were breaking the law all along ever since you have been in Russia & going back & forth to Russia all along with illegal mmj products that you were flying with out of the country. You just got lucky that you never got busted early until just recently. (& you also know that it's illegal to be flying in & out of the USA & another Country with illegal substances on you that you have been doing for years obviously) And you know that you have known what the laws are in Russia about having illegal drugs of Marijuana products & you also know that it doesn't matter if you have a mmj card from a doctor in the United States cuz it would only apply to the State that you got the mmj card from no where else, not even in the United States much less than in another Country. So why is this continuing going on when this wouldn't be happening for anyone else from the United States, nor would the President consider trading anyone for another person he would leave them there. & no one would be hearing about this at all other than you are a woman that has a lot of money, playes Basketball & gay. So if you do get the help from the President You Owe It To The Other People Stuck In Other Countries For Drugs To Pay It Forward To Help Them Also To Get Out To Come Home.
Sorry to say it was pretty dumb to bring vape into a foreign country. I travel abroad when I can afford it, and you do not under any circumstances break their laws. Especially Russia. She went to play for Russia for the money. Guess she made a big mistake.
This time it didn't work there's a war going on each side is looking for a pond a chip in the game no matter how large or small. My opinion stay calm and pray.
Every International Airport wherever you go has a sign that all bags are subject to search. When they x-ray you cannot have toothpaste anything in any kind of container that be transported from one country to another. You have to purchase new personal hygiene supplies whenever you travel anywhere's on a airplane. Unless you got documentation saying it is medical you cannot have any particular product with you. She had broke the law in multiple airport no matter what anybody says. The rule is you do the crime you do the time no matter who you are what color what race or wherever you're from or what gender you are. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time!
She has crisscrossed airports her entire adult life without any incident of any kind. Given all the rules you cited, why would anyone blindly assume she committed a crime now? Why would anyone blindly accept Putin's word for ANYTHING, especially after what he did to Trevor Reed?
@@OtmShank94 I agree with you on a lot of points. But when you travel internationally you know they searched for drug paraphernalia or anything else like that you know neither to carry it on the plane. So when you do carry it you're taking a risk getting caught Brittney Griner just got caught with their goods that's how it is same has no exit through the airport when you got drugs or paraphernalia on you've gone any where. Quit asking for the country that had the president could bail you out of trouble. Then he stopped using race and gender pay Gap in order as excuse for a reason why they do crimes just own up to it and do the time!
@@mikewilliams4754 Brittney got caught with drugs, even as a very experienced international traveler? Really? Which drugs did she have? In what amounts?
In this day and time security has tightened and not letting anybody get away with stuff due to the fact of what's going on and whether anything's being brought through the country that's going to be negative. Drug they don't know drugs are going to be brought diseases anything that could cripple country where they cannot come up with the vaccine for it. Dave may have overlooked her in the past because her status as a WNBA Superstar about bringing it through. But it's about time they start cracking down I stopping and transporting of illegal stuff through the airport evening percent in the liquid form in a vape canister. Terrorists can get anything through i so you was running a airport or country wouldn't you tighten the security with everything that's going on now. Or would you just let anything come through and destroy where you live. Let that decision be on your shoulders not our we don't live there we're just a guest when we go into other countries cuz the US does not allow that here.
Thank you glad I'm not the only one noticing the obvious which is probably the larger reason they are going after them for smuggling contraband. I think we all know this
Y’all are so mental ! Kneeling has nothing to do with hating the country, it’s about showing respect for the black people that police have killed. It’s no such thing as blue lives , a uniform can be taken off black people can’t change the color of the skin!
Imagine someone from a different country comes here kills & eats someone’s dog. They get arrested but try to explain that they just needed to eat & that this is completely legal and normal where they are from. Why should anyone get a free pass on breaking laws just because it’s legal where they’re from or because they didn’t know the law?
I am EXTREMELY CONFUSED WHY WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU GO TO THESE PLACES THAT ARE SO EVIL AND YOU KNOW THE DEVILS ARE RUNNING THOSE PLACES STOP STOP STOP GOING TO PLACES LIKE THIS
She worked there for many years earning over a mil playing ball. Russia was safe for US athletes until Biden was placed into office. The world is capitalizing on this weak administration and now is our chance to get all Dem's out of office.
Prove she committed any crime...unless you're saying that to the war criminal, Putin, who's literally breaking international laws by invading and slaughtering people in a neighbouring country, right? Because nothing coming from this criminal regime can be trusted. Unless you have evidence she did anything wrong and can explain why an actual war criminal can have the nerves to enforce sentences for small crimes. Pretty much like the Jan 6th terrorists and their supporters falsely claiming they're patriots for attacking America over lies.
Tru dat. Religious peps leaving bibles, remember the graffiti kid? Ur not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. As far as I know NOBODY is denying the Hash. An anti-american, self entitled, victim, underpaid (lolol) woke dip#$%@. You made ur bed, sleep in it.
@@OtmShank94 it's Done Babe! You can't win this argument in the comments section of RU-vid. She did it and He needs to be Punished! 5 years imprisonment!!
SO sick a women calling another women my wife.. they are a disgrace because of this foolishness around the world judgement is here and we deserve it.. keep her there acting like a man but weak like a snail
Then they wonder why this is happening their living foul I mean shoot we all sin but they just take it to another level with this Alphabet bet Mafia mess🖕🖕
TRUTH..... And this is DEFINITELY NOT OF GOD,its ABOMINATION and the lady that is interviewing her sees nothing wrong with that because she is the same way she has a GIRLFRIEND ALSO,that devil is a LIAR!!!!!!
Why should she be top priority. She broke their law. It's just plain stupid what she did. Would I be top priority if I did the same. No but then again I wouldn't ever be that stupid. Trevor Reed wrongfully detained not her, come on now let's not get it twisted. It's disgusting to me that because she's a celebrity she thinks she could do what she did and asking our government to rescue her.
She consciously and deliberately broke the law in Russia, and is then beyond confused when she gets detained? I stead of kneeling through it, I’d bet that she’d give anything to hear, and stand for, the National Anthem these days. America’s not so bad, after all..
love how the comments section tells you the true state of affairs after getting rid of the dislike button. pay attention gen z this is what CONSEQUENCES look like. most of the world actually thinks this way.. 😂
USA 🇺🇸 President has no power over international government laws... BG got beyond herself in Russia because they treated her like a celebrity. However, dealing with illicit drugs are punishable. She made a terrible decision. Smh
She said she travels to Russia to play because she can't make enough money in the WNBA to sustain her life. She gets a base salary of over 220 grand, has a million dollar deal with Nike and gets paid for commercials and other endorsements. Sounds like she really needs the extra money.
I am sorry that Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia. However, why should she expect the American government to help her, when she cannot be bothered to stand for our national anthem at her games?
It's "weird" that she wants America's help to get out of Russia when it wasn't that long ago she protested against America and the national anthem. Maybe weird isn't the right word; perhaps hilarious fits better!
Yes hilarious is definetly the word that fits. So funny these people that hate america want america to save them from their own problems that they created with their actions.
They use " wrongfully detained" its a political issue...I dont think shes "wrongfully detained" I think shes not getting a fair trial but thats how that country run...I feel bad for the whole situation because if she was going over there more then playing in US, She should of knew the laws, obeyed them...she seemed like she knew Russia laws better then US...I just keep her in my prayers and hope something makes sense to this...
@@heybud60 One person loves America, and the other hates America, people of color, and free speech: *Olympic Experience* Two-time Olympian (2016, 2020); two-time Olympic medalist (2 golds) Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold Olympic Games Rio 2016, gold *World Championship Experience* Most recent: 2018 - gold Years of participation: 2014, 2018 Medals: 2 (2 golds) Gold - 2018; 2014
So let me get this straight, you refuse to be on the Basketball Court during the National Anthem, then you go even further and say that it shouldn't be played before any Games during the season. Then you stupidly try to carry illegal Drugs into a Foreign Country, get caught and locked up. Then you want the Country that you apparently have absolutely no respect for to come to your rescue?
Not being there for the national anthem doesn't mean you have no respect for your country. African-Americans have been killed lynched and raped in this country. We are still dealing with racism and police brutality. In case you don't understand what I mean by rape we were raped doing slavery and after slavery which created African Americans, and that is why African Americans have African blood and white blood due to slavery. That is why we are different shades of color. America has never apologized for slavery and what we went through doing slavery and afterwards.
I smoke a ungodly about of weed and I'm still smart enough to not try to smuggle it into another country. Our country is "detaining " people from damn near every country in US prisons for similar crimes. I hope she doesn't get 10 years in a Russian prison, that would suck but it may be a reality. She knew the laws and had probably gotten away with it before but not this time.
I pray for her safe return but you have to take these foreign laws seriously. America can't just swoop into another country and bring home every citizen who breaks the law. It all seems harsh and unfair but it is what it is. Furthermore with America's political divide, most citizens could care less if she comes home or not because she's not on the right. It's a cold world...
It’s actually stupid you’re explaining this. What would happen if a Mexican was caught smuggling(not just thc, concentrated thc at that) into the US, why is this girl need so much special treatment ?
Praying to your so-called God it's like throwing a coin into a wishing well and you're expecting that wish to cum true come on wake up that's not reality she broke the law I hope and pray to your so-called God she does 10 years of hard labor come on she broke the law over there there are people that been waiting for years hopefully if they release her let it happen after five years to teacher a super-great lesson
yes because black women are last priority. we know. that's the whole point. Ive seen Trump get rappers and other celebs (both black and white) out of trouble for worse
If the oil is considered an illegal substance in Russia , how was her detainment wrong? Im so confused 😐 Hopefully wife has access to a rainy day fund.
A woman may choose to be a lesbian to another woman, now, as for a woman becoming the wife of another woman? THIS CANNOT BE DONE! God doesn’t recognize such apostasy!
And here we go, crying about the pay in the wnba. She could make comfortable living playing in the wnba, making hundreds of thousands a year. That's not good enough? Well, that is the pay you get for the amount of tickets you sell. Simple. You want others to subsidize your salary? Get out of here. Why? If it's not good enough there are other jobs, it's the same for everyone else. Lots of people have multiple jobs.
We have people who have been imprisoned there for years. But we are only concerned about the one who is WRONGFULLY imprisoned, after being caught with something that she knew was against the law, but since she feels above the law, she tried to get through the airport with it. She should do her time , and know that because she thinks she's a sports superstar, there are still consequences for her actions.
How has the possiblity and known about Russian government you still utter these words without knowing if she was set up like MANY other prisoners in other countries. . .
@@vintageragdoll1991 she admitted they were hers. She “forgot” about them. Jesus. But she thinks she’s some sports star (that no one has ever heard of) and would get away with it.
@@lisaspencer1057 and you know that she think she’s some sports star how??? 🤔 Can you verify that those are in fact her beliefs, or is that YOUR emotional projection of her (bias or disdain?) The “that nobody every heard of” kinda gave it away toots! 🤦♂️
@@clarkdamien5697 also while I know you didn’t mean it kindly(nor do I think it was meant to be incredibly harsh), thank you for calling me toots. My Great Aunt used to call all the girls that and she was lovely. It was a nice memory. 🙂
@3:54 "She can't make enough money in the WNBA to sustain her life" LOL. "Brittney Griner signed a 3 year / $664,544 contract with the Phoenix Mercury, including an annual average salary of $221,515. In 2022, Griner will earn a base salary of $227,900, while carrying a cap hit of $227,900. Brittney Griner net worth is $17 Million US Dollars."
She deserves to be in prison. She has lived and worked there for nearly ten years. She is not an innocent victim or political prisoner. Legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use in parts of the U.S. has no bearing on what happens in Russia or other countries. Stop waiving privilege.
@@janines6680 I did spesk for myself, and for the majority. She's pathetic. She won't be back for a long time. Hell, she may never come back and that's a good thing. She doesn't like America, letter her rot! 😃😗✌
