The drug trafficking trial involving two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star Brittney Griner will continue Thursday amid claims by Russian officials that Griner may appeal her sentence or seek leniency, a possible harbinger of what’s to come for the American basketball player .
Russia’s foreign ministry said during a news briefing on Wednesday that Griner would be allowed to appeal her verdict once the verdict is handed down and dispute US claims that The star of the Phoenix Mercury illegally detained on February 17.
WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner, center, arrives at a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, July 1, 2022. (Krill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
“The court must first issue its verdict, but no one is stopping Brittney Griner from using the appeals process and also asking for clemency,” a department spokesman said, according to the New York Times.
The spokesman added that there was “incontrovertible evidence” supporting the government’s case and that “attempts to present its case as if the American woman was illegally detained do not stand up to criticism.”
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But talk of a plea or request for clemency just two days after Griner’s trial and months after she was taken into custody seems to suggest a bleak outcome.
“The decision on Ms. Griner has probably been made and she will almost certainly be convicted,” former US intelligence officer Rebecca Koffler told Fox News Digital. “Russian intelligence services they have a very nuanced understanding of US domestic politics, which they seek to exploit, as a formal matter.
“They know the Biden administration is under pressure to bring Ms. Griner home because it’s a high-stakes case, with Ms. Griner being a prominent figure, a black gay woman, et cetera. There is almost no independent judicial process in Russia, especially when it comes to a politically charged case like this.”
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner leaves the courtroom after a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, Russia, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
According to a State Department report — “Russia Human Rights Report 2021” — the outcome of “high-profile or politically sensitive cases” in Russia was sometimes found to be “fore-ordained.”
“The law provides for an independent judiciary, but judges remained under the influence of the executive, the armed forces and other security forces, particularly in high-profile or politically sensitive cases, as well as corruption. The outcomes of some trials appeared predetermined,” it says. the exhibition.
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The same report also found that, in 2020, only 0.34% of defendants were acquitted. Even if Griner is acquitted, the ruling could be overturned under Russian law.
“Leniency is unlikely at this time, as Russia believes that the US is fueling the conflict in Ukraine by supplying weapons to Kyiv,” Koffler added. “There is a slight chance [Vladimir] Putin would give leniency to appear magnanimous and make a propaganda case by presenting himself as humane etc. but it would depend on many other things. Or if Biden promises Putin something of value, like lifting sanctions or canceling arms supplies to Ukraine.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Victory Day military parade marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2022. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport on February 17 after being accused of bringing vapor cartridges containing cannabis-derived oils through security. Her arrest came a week before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, but news of her arrest only broke in March.
The White House has made clear that he believes Griner was detained “in error” and that her safe return to the US is a “priority” for the president. But Griner’s family has made several public requests that he speak directly to Joe Biden about the matter.
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On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had finally spoken directly with Griner’s wife.
“President Biden, along with Vice President Harris, spoke today with Cheryl Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, who is being held illegally in Russia under intolerable conditions,” the White House said in a statement. “The President called Cherelle to assure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other American citizens illegally held or held hostage in Russia and around the world.”
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted into a courtroom for a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, Russia, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Griner wrote to Biden and his administration earlier in the week, asking US officials not to forget about her and other Americans detained abroad. The White House said Biden was sending a letter to Griner on Wednesday.
Koffler told Fox News Digital that Griner’s return home will likely be the result of a prisoner exchange.
“Putin and the Kremlin want to trade Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, the ‘Merchant of Death’, no one else. They will insist on the entire process, including the appeal, simply as a bargaining chip to get what they want from Biden management.
“Essentially, Putin is going to use Ms. Griner for his bargaining leverage in a prisoner exchange case or something. The more news this case makes here in the U.S., stirring up emotions, the deeper the Russians will dig, demanding an exchange for Race or some other concessions. They know our hot buttons.”
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Griner has played in Russia for the past seven years in the winter, earning more than $1 million per season — more than four times her WNBA salary. She last played for her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives to the basket against Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner (42) during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The seven-time All-Star won two Olympic gold medals with USA, a WNBA championship with the Mercury and a national championship at Baylor.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Paulina Dedaj is a Digital Reporter for Fox News and Fox Business. Follow Paulina Dedaj on Twitter at @PaulinaDedaj. If you have a tip, you can email Paulina at [email protected]
