Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson is set to visit Moscow in the upcoming weeks to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. The 74-year-old diplomat served as the Governor of New Mexico between 2003 and 2011. Richardson specializes in these kinds of negotiations with foreign governments and will look to reduce the prison sentence of Brittney Griner in Russia.
Griner was apprehended by Russian authorities with restricted substances in possession in February. The Phoenix Mercury star’s arrest took place during Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. As a result, her imprisonment became a major diplomatic issue for both Russia and America.
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Brittney Griner pleads guilty to all charges
Notably, Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to all the charges against her earlier this month. Her next court appearance is on July 14th. Griner had recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for help.
In response, Biden met with the 31-year-old hooper’s wife and assured to mitigate the situation. In the meantime, former Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson will lead the negotiations for the United States.
The drug charges against Brittney Griner could lead to up to 10 years in prison. The 2014 WNBA champion’s guilty plea is a wise decision, according to experts.
Former New Mexico Governor to negotiate Griner’s release
Bill Richardson will be visiting Moscow soon to negotiate Brittney Griner’s release. Incidentally, Richardson successfully negotiated the release of American journalist Danny Fenster in Myanmar last year.
Ex-New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is reportedly traveling to Russia to help free Brittney Griner.
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In other words, Richardson is a weathered diplomat who has held many offices as a public servant. In fact, Richardson has served in the US House of Representatives and as the Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration.
Richardson, a life-long Democrat, also served as the chairman of the 2004 Democratic Convention. The former governor ran to be the Democratic nominee in the 2008 presidential elections. However, he had to drop out eventually due to poor showing.
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