Dennis Rodman, the NBA Hall of Famer, has claimed to have gotten special “permission” to travel over to Russia in order to advocate on behalf of Brittney Griner from the WNBA, who has been slammed with a nine-year sentence inside of a Russian prison over alleged drug charges.
Rodman explained the new news while at a restaurant located in Washington, D.C., that was first made public by a report from NBC News.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” stated Rodman to officials at NBC News. “I’m trying to go this week.”
The NBC report did not speak at all about who Rodman stated officially gave him this “permission” to go over to Russia to call for Griner’s release.
The eclectic past from Rodman has previously included a friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The former champion of the NBA issued the claim that he assisted in the final release of American Kenneth Bae from the country back in the year 2014.
Americans do not need any kind of special permission currently to take a trip to Russia. Despite not having to get permission, Officials with the State Department have issued a few different travel advisories that warn U.S. citizens to not try and go into the country.
“Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19-related restrictions, and terrorism,” explains the warning.
“U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately,” the statement goes on. “Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions.”
All American debit and credit cards are no longer allowed to work in Russia, all while electronic funds transfers for the nation are additionally limited, the State Department highlights.
NBC News reported that attempted to ask the White House about these plans from Rodman. The U.S. State Department also did not give any responses to these statements from Rodman.
The State Department has already started to set up negotiations to try and free Griner, but efforts have seemingly failed to have any effects as of writing.
“I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here,” stated Griner just before the announcement of the verdict that went out earlier this month. “I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom.”
Griner was arrested at an airport in Moscow back on the 17th of February due to the discovery of cannabis-infused vape cartridges being found in her suitcases. She has since pled guilty to the drug charges.
In the wake of the sentencing from Griner, Old Uncle Joe put out his own statement of condemnation about the decision.
“Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” Biden claimed in his statement. “My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
