Accurate Background: Brittney Griner’s Case
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Arrest & Charges: On February 17, 2022, Brittney Griner was detained by Russian authorities at Sheremetyevo Airport after they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil (cannabis) in her luggage — a substance that is illegal in Russia. She had been playing basketball professionally in Russia during the WNBA off-season.
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Trial & Conviction: In July 2022, Griner pled guilty, stating it was an unintentional mistake. On August 4, 2022, a Russian court sentenced her to nine years in a penal colony, along with a fine of one million rubles (approximately US $16,000)
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Appeals: Her appeal was rejected by a Russian court in October 2022, leaving the conviction in place. The U.S. government called it a “sham judicial proceeding” and continued to push for her release.
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Designation as Wrongfully Detained: The U.S. State Department designated Griner as “wrongfully detained” and her case was handled by the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
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Prisoner Swap & Release: On December 8, 2022, she was released from Russian custody in a high-profile prisoner exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.
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Aftermath: Following her return, she resumed her basketball career, signed with the Atlanta Dream in early 2025, and won Olympic gold with Team USA in 2024 People.com.
Why the Requested Title Is Misinformed
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“Suspended for Being a Man”: There’s absolutely no credible evidence or reporting suggesting Griner was ever suspended or penalized on the basis of gender identity or being “a man.” This appears to be a misleading falsehood.
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“Lawsuit”: Griner did not file a lawsuit; rather, she went through criminal legal proceedings and served time in detention. No known defamation or gender-based lawsuit exists related to these allegations.
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“Russia Trade”: While “trade” might loosely refer to the prisoner exchange, the term isn’t accurate. It was a diplomatic prisoner swap, not a commercial trade.
