On Thursday, American basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced in Russia for drug possession and drug trafficking, as well as political charges, resulting in a possible high-risk prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow. The 31-year-old Griner, a two-time American Olympic champion and eight-time WNBA Phoenix Mercury All-Star, listened with a bewildered expression as Judge Anna Sotnikova delivered the verdict through a translator. Her lawyer later stated that she was "extremely disappointed." Griner was also fined 1 million rubles (approximately $16,700).
US President Joe Biden has denounced the sentencing and conviction as "unacceptable," a verdict that came amid escalating tensions between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine issue. Biden stated, "I call on Russia to immediately release her so she can be reunited with her wife, family, friends, and teammates." He added that he will continue efforts to bring Griner and Paul Whelan, an American citizen imprisoned on espionage charges in Russia, back home.
Outside the courtroom, Elizabeth Rood, Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy, called the outcome "a miscarriage of justice.
Griner, considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history, has been detained since February 17th. Earlier, authorities revealed they found an electronic cigarette containing cannabis oil in her luggage upon her arrival at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. She is set to return to Russia, where she has been playing since 2014. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of 9 years. Lawyers state that most Russians caught with small amounts of drugs are usually sentenced to a maximum of five years in jail. During her court appearance, Griner said, "I love my family.
Defense attorney Maria Blagovolina later told reporters that Griner was "extremely frustrated and under a lot of pressure. She could hardly speak. For her, this was a difficult time." Prior to the unusually swift ruling, an emotional Griner apologized to her family, teammates, and fans attending the WNBA off-season event in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, "for the mistake I made and the embarrassment it has caused them." Her voice cracking, she added, "I hope in your ruling, it doesn't end my life.
Brittney Griner has ten days to appeal, according to her lawyer, who said they expect a hearing to take place next week in a court in the Moscow region. When asked if Griner could request a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Blagovolina said they would consider all possibilities, but the lawyers have not been involved in any discussions regarding a prisoner exchange. Griner's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said the statement "is harsh by Russian legal standards and proves what we have known all along, that Brittney is being used as a political pawn." She added that she supports President Biden's efforts to "make a deal.
Before arranging a prisoner exchange, conviction is usually necessary, and Griner would also be allowed to apply for a pardon. Last month, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov stated that "necessary legal procedures" must be completed before taking other steps.
In July, it was revealed that the US government is seeking a prisoner exchange involving Griner. This reflects the growing pressure on the Biden administration to do more to bring her home. The US State Department earlier announced that Griner had been "wrongfully detained" - an accusation strongly denied by Russia.
When she appeared in court on July 7th, Griner stated, "I would like to plead guilty to my charges. However, I had no intention of violating any Russian laws." She added that she had brought an e-cigarette container into Russia because she was in a hurry to catch her flight.
Griner described a confusing scene during her detention at the airport, alleging that the authorities provided an interpreter who only translated a small portion of what was being said to her. Officials allegedly told her to sign documents without explaining what they were. She also claimed that she was not informed of her rights.
Her lawyer presented evidence of Griner using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain and injuries suffered during her career, along with a letter from her doctor. Griner testified that she was aware that cannabis oil is illegal in Russia and had no intention to break the law or "smuggle anything into Russia". Griner's case and her nearly six-month imprisonment have drawn strong criticism from supporters in the United States, including her wife Cherelle, who say Biden has not done enough to secure her release.
WNBA star Brittney Griner has personally appealed to President Biden, along with over 1,100 Black female leaders, urging the government to "reach an agreement to bring Brittney home quickly and safely, and to immediately meet with Brittney's wife, Cherelle." On July 6, the White House stated that President Biden later called Cherelle Griner and "assured her that he is working to ensure the swift release of Brittney.
Cherelle Griner spoke with Vice President Kamala Harris and later stated that she was grateful for the time they spent together and for their commitment to bringing BG home, using her wife's initials.
On July 27th, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Washington has proposed an agreement to Russia aimed at bringing home Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, a departure from previous policy. The details of the proposal have not been released, although an anonymous source stated that the US has offered to exchange convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Whelan and Reed. Russian media has speculated that Bout, also known as the "Merchant of Death", may be swapped for Reed instead of Whelan. Bout was convicted of conspiracy to kill US citizens and providing support to terrorist groups and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the US. Russia has long been uneasy about Bout's extradition.
Griner's harsh ruling may increase pressure on Washington, forcing them to negotiate her release and exert influence in the exchange. Tom Freston, a former US resident legal advisor, said, "I think the harsher the ruling, the greater the pressure on the Biden administration to reach an agreement, and obviously they like to use this pressure." The US Embassy in Moscow discussed Russians before the verdict. Even though US-Russian relations are at a low point, the two countries managed to arrange an exchange in April for former US Marine Trevor Reed. He was convicted of assaulting a police officer and sentenced to nine years in Russia, while a drug dealer sentenced to 20 years in Connecticut was released.
Greene's detention was only made public after Russian troops entered Ukraine, as relations between Russia and the United States reached a new low following Western sanctions imposed by Washington. Supporters within the country, including top athletes, emphasized her plight, particularly since there was limited access to U.S. diplomats when she was initially detained in Russia, where news of her detention was scarce in the first few weeks. It was not until May that the State Department designated her wrongful detention and transferred her case to the President's Hostage Affairs Special Envoy, who is essentially the government's primary negotiator for hostage situations.
At last month's ESPY Awards, soccer star Megan Rapinoe referred to basketball player Griner as "a political prisoner," while tennis legend Billie Jean King urged that "BG be brought home. It must be done." NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry wore Griner's jersey to the ceremony and urged "the entire global sports community to continue representing her and keeping her involved." Griner, a 6-foot-9 center, has dunked the ball 12 out of 15 times in WNBA regular season history and set a single-season record for blocks in 2014 with 129. She has twice led the league in scoring and twice been named the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year, leading Baylor to a 40-0 season and the NCAA championship in 2012. She was the first overall pick in the 2013 Phoenix draft. The commissioners of the WNBA and NBA called the decision to suspend Griner "unreasonable and unfortunate, but not unexpected... We hope to soon conclude the process of bringing BG home.
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