NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman said he has “permission” to travel to Russia to advocate on behalf of the WNBA’s Brittney Griner, who has been sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug charges.

Rodman shared the news at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., that was first reported by NBC News.

“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News. “I’m trying to go this week.”

The NBC report did not specify who Rodman claims gave him “permission” to travel to Russia to lobby for Griner’s release.

Rodman’s eclectic past has previously included a friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The former NBA champion claimed he helped with the release of American Kenneth Bae from the country in 2014.

Americans do not currently require special permission to travel to Russia. However, a State Department travel advisory warns U.S. citizens not to enter the country.