- News -
It's your worst nightmare.
You enter a foreign country, are arrested, detained, and unsure if you will ever be released.
This is what happened to W.N.B.A. star Brittney Griner. Russian custom officials said, “they found vape cartridges containing traces of hashish oil in Griner’s luggage when she passed through a security checkpoint in an airport near Moscow on Feb. 17.” The Russian officials stated that her sentence could legally add up to 10 years at a penal colony, or “prison” in the U.S.
Brittney’s Trial will begin on Friday, July 1st, and could last up to two months. The Russian Judicial System works nothing like our Judicial System in the United States. Legal experts are saying that despite all the work the United States is doing to get her released, the trial is almost certain to end in a conviction.
In the United States, defendants are offered a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers, if they are faced with being convicted of a crime. In Russia, as part of their judicial system, they state that a person should not go to trial unless the person on trial is going to be convicted. William Pomeranz, the acting director of the Kremlin Institute and an expert on Russian law stated, “There’s no real idea or expectation that the defendant could be innocent. There is no presumption of innocence, really.”
Do you want to influence people, make a difference in society, grow your following, and enjoy the amazing benefits of sharing your opinion & commentary on a professional news site? Join Contributor+ for Free Today
Fearing that Brittney may be used political pawn and wrongfully detained during this critical time of heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S., the United States is looking at some hostage cases and possible exchanges for Brittney’s freedom.
The best chance for Brittneyy's freedom may be a political prisoner swap, a risky move on the national stage. As talks continue between the United States and Russia, we have only to wait and see how Russia handles this delicate situation.
Biden’s National Security Advisor recently stated regarding this situation, “The United States government is actively engaged in trying to resolve this case and get Brittney home.” He added, “It has the fullest attention of the President and every senior member of his national security and diplomatic team. We are actively working to find a resolution to this case and will continue to do so without rest until we get Brittney safely home.”
Do you want to influence people, make a difference in society, grow your following, and enjoy the amazing benefits of sharing your opinion & commentary on a professional news site? Join Contributor+ for Free Today
Contributor:
Stefanie Daubert, Contributor+ Member
Johnathan Abrams, Tania Ganguli, The New York Times, “Brittney Griner’s Trial in Russia Is Starting, and Likely to End in a Conviction.” June 30, 2022.
Comments