WILL A PRISONER EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE US AND RUSSIA IMPACT DETAINED WNBA STAR BRITTNEY...
0Will a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia impact detained WNBA star Brittney Griner?
US basketballer Brittney Griner remains detained in Russia and it's unclear how an unexpected prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that freed marine veteran Trevor Reed on Wednesday will affect the status of the WNBA star. Griner has been detained in Russia since mid February. The Russian Federal Customs Service have released this video in which airport security are seen going through the luggage of a passenger identified as Brittney Griner. pic.twitter.com/gHJ8XoMYvF — Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) March 5. 2022 The deal announced by the US and Russia involving Reed. an American imprisoned for nearly three years. would have been a notable diplomatic manoeuvre even in times of peace. But it is all the more surprising because it has been done at a time when Russia's war with Ukraine has driven relations with the US to their lowest point in decades. Griner. a two time Olympic gold medallist who plays for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. was arrested in Russia for allegedly possessing a cannabis derivative legal in much of the world. The offence can mean up to 10 years in prison. but experts have predicted Griner will get much less if convicted. Like many top WNBA players. Griner plays overseas as a way to supplement her income. She was returning to the country after the Russian League. in which she also plays. took a break for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. What does the prisoner exchange mean? It is unclear if Reed's release will have any bearing on Griner's case. It seems unlikely it will have any immediate impact. in part because Washington has played down the idea of a broader rapprochement with Moscow at a time when Russia is at war with Ukraine. Read more Griner's wife. Cherelle. took to Instagram on Wednesday. saying her 'heart is overflowing with joy for the Reed family'. 'I do not personally know them. but I do know the pain of having your loved one detained in a foreign country.' she wrote. 'That level of pain is constant and can only be remedied by a safe return home. For the Reed family. that day is today. 'Welcome home Trevor. sending love to you and your family on this special day.' Is Griner's case similar to Reed's? Griner's case is at a much different point than Reed's was. He had been convicted in a Russian court and sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner's case. by contrast. has yet to wind through the Russian court system. with the evidence and facts still unclear. The US had assessed that Reed and another American. Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan. were unjustly detained by Russia and officials had pressed Moscow for their release. American officials have not yet made a similar determination about Griner. meaning that their role — at least overtly — is generally confined to ensuring she has access to consular services while behind bars. Where is Griner now? The 2.1 metre tall Griner is being held in a detention facility near Moscow. She has been meeting with her lawyers regularly and had a visit with a US embassy official last month to check on her condition. State Department spokesperson Ned Price last month said Griner appeared 'to be in good condition'. He did not identify the official who had been granted consular access to the athlete. What's next? Griner has had her detention extended to May 19. More information about her case may emerge then. But regardless of the factual allegations against her in court. it's impossible to divorce the legal case from the broader political implications. In some cases. US officials speak out loudly when they're convinced an American has been wrongly detained. But Griner's case is barely two months old and officials have yet to make that determination. A US State Department office that works to free American hostages and citizens who have been unjustly detained is not known to be involved. AP Posted 19h ago. updated 19h ago
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