Dennis Rodman claims he will travel to Russia to assist in securing Brittney Griner's release from prison
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Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player, declared his intention to travel to Russia while pledging to work for Brittney Griner's release from prison.
At a restaurant in Washington, D.C., on August 20, he told NBC News, "I got authorization to go to Russia to help that girl. I'm attempting to travel this week.
Griner was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport and later found guilty on narcotics charges; she was given a nine-year prison term earlier this month. The sportsman was found guilty by a Russian court of narcotics possession and smuggling as well as willful criminal behaviour. Since then, her attorney has appealed.
The former U.S. ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, recently expressed optimism to the Associated Press about the prospects of a prisoner exchange with Russia that would return Griner and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, back to the U.S.
It won't be the first time that Rodman, 67, has meddled in international affairs if he travels to Russia. The Celebrity Mole alum has drawn attention for his cordial friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and frequent trips there over the past ten years.
Rodman famously referred to Vladimir Putin as a "nice guy" in 2014 after visiting Moscow and serving as a de facto spokesperson for his sport.
That year, he said of Russians, "They don't know about American basketball or American football." In terms of basketball, "I went over there to represent America."
He added, "I simply serve as a basketball ambassador; I'm not a politician. I'm done now. "
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