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The Drug smuggling trial The involvement of two Olympic gold medalists and WNBA star Brittney Griner will resume on Thursday in a statement by Russian authorities that Griner may appeal her ruling or seek amnesty.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said at a press conference Wednesday that Grinner was capable of appealing her verdict after the verdict was issued and challenged the allegations claimed by the United States. Phoenix Mercury Star He was illegally detained on February 17.
WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner (center) attended a hearing on July 1, 2022 at Himki Court on the outskirts of Moscow.
(Krill Kudryavtsev / AFP via Getty Images)
According to the New York Times, a spokesperson for the ministry said, “The court must make a verdict first, but it does not prevent Brittney Griner from using the appeal process or demanding amnesty.” Said.
“There is” indisputable evidence “in support of the government’s case,” a spokesman said. “Attempts to present her case as if an American woman had been illegally detained are unbearable.” Added.
However, the story of a request for an appeal or amnesty just two days after Grinner’s trial and months after her detention seems to suggest severe consequences.
“The decision on Mr. Greener is likely to have been made and she will almost certainly be convicted,” former US intelligence officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox News Digital. “”Russian intelligence As a matter of standard trading technology, they have a very delicate understanding of the domestic politics of the United States they are trying to utilize.
“They know that the Biden administration is under pressure to bring Ms. Greener home. This is the attention that Ms. Greener is a prominent personality, such as a black gay woman. Collecting high stakes cases. Russia, especially for such politically indicted cases. “
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Britney Greener left the court on June 27, 2022 after holding a hearing in Khimki, a suburb of Moscow, Russia.
(AP photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko)
According to a report from the State Department — “Russia 2021 Human Rights Report” — The results of “attention or politically sensitive incidents” in Russia were sometimes found to be “predetermined”.
“Although the law provides for an independent judiciary, judges are affected by executive branch, military and other security forces, as well as corruption, especially in high-profile or politically sensitive cases. Continued. It was decided in advance that the results of several trials appeared, “the report said.
The same report also found that in 2020 only 0.34% of defendants were acquitted. Even if Greener is acquitted, the ruling could be overturned under Russian law.
“Russia believes the United States is fueling, so amnesty is unlikely at this point. Ukrainian conflict By providing Kyiv with a weapon, Koffler added. [Vladimir] Putin would then pardon him, describe himself as humane, and then pretend to be exaggerated and file a proceeding, but it would depend on many other things. Or if Biden promises Putin something of value, such as lifting sanctions or canceling the supply of weapons to Ukraine. “
Russian President Vladimir Putin during a military parade on May 9, 2022, on the anniversary of the victory to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II in Moscow, Russia.
(Photo of Kremlin Pool via Mikhail Metsel, Sputnik, AP)
Greener was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17, after being accused of bringing an arc cartridge containing cannabis-derived oil to security guards. Her arrest took place a week before Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, but news of her detention did not spread until March.
The White House Believing that Greener was “accidentally” detained, he revealed that returning her safely to the United States was the president’s “priority.” However, Grinner’s family made some public requests to speak directly to Joe Biden on this issue.
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On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris finally spoke directly with Grinner’s wife.
“President Biden, with the addition of Vice President Harris, today Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner “We are illegally detained in Russia in an intolerable situation,” the White House said. “The president has called Cherel and is working to secure Britney’s release and Paul Whelan’s release as soon as possible. Reassured her. Other Americans who have been illegally detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world. “
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Britney Greener will be brought to court on June 27, 2022 for a hearing in Khimki, on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia.
(AP photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Greener sent a letter to Biden and his administration earlier this week, asking US officials to remember her and other Americans detained abroad. The White House said Biden was sending a letter to Greener on Wednesday.
Koffler told Fox News Digital that Grinner’s return was likely the result of a prisoner exchange.
“Putin and the Kremlin have Brittney Griner Viktor Bout, “Merchants of Death” There is no one else. They drag the entire process, including the appeal, simply as a bargaining tool to get what they want from the Biden administration.
“In conclusion, Putin will use Ms. Greener to leverage negotiations, such as in prisoner exchange cases. The more news and emotional the case is in the United States, the deeper the Russians dig into their heels. , Matches or some other concessions. They know our hot button. “
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Greener played in Russia Over the last seven years of the winter, he has earned more than $ 1 million each season and more than four times the WNBA’s salary. After she last played for the Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg on January 29, the league took a two-week break in the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in early February.
Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersroot (22) will face Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner (42) in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on October 17, 2021 in Chicago.
(Stacy Libya / Getty Images)
7 all-stars won 2 Olympic gold medals WNBA Championship with the United States, National Championship at Baylor.
If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
