When news broke Wednesday morning that Russia and the United States had participated in a prisoner exchangebringing former US Marine Trevor Reed back to America, many in the sports community had a question: what does this mean for Brittney Griner?
Griner, one of the world’s top basketball players, has been detained in Russia since mid-February, when she was picked up from a Moscow-area airport after being accused of carrying cannabis oil in her luggage. Her next court date is set for May 19.
On Wednesday, a WNBA spokesperson said, “We continue to have regular discussions with the US government regarding the Brittney Griner case and getting her home safely and as soon as possible remains the WNBA’s top priority.”
State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN on Wednesday morning: “We are working very closely with your team. Your case is a priority for us.
“I can tell you that with the utmost certainty. We are in regular contact with your team, we communicate regularly through our embassy in Moscow with your counterparts to make sure that you are treated fairly, to make sure that we have constant access to it that the Russians are obliged to provide under the Vienna convention”.
Two people who work in professional women’s basketball told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that while Reed’s release could be seen as a positive development, it’s hard to say if it will have any impact on Griner’s situation, as she has yet to appear. in court and be sentenced. . The people requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Russia is known for its draconian drug laws, and experts told USA TODAY Sports in March that it is Griner would probably be sentenced to five to 10 years if convicted of possession.
WHEN WILL GRINER GET FREE? It could be years and here’s why.
Who is Trevor Reed?:The recently released ex-marine who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2019
Reed, who was arrested in 2019, was previously sentenced to nine years in prison after being accused of assaulting a police officer. Earlier this year, his family said that he had become seriously ill after being exposed to tuberculosis in the Russian prison system and that he was not receiving medical care.
At the WNBA Draft on April 11, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged the “unimaginable situation” Griner finds herself in and promised that the leagues and their players will not forget her during the 26th WNBA season, which It will start on May 6. Engelbert later emphasized that, although she could not go into details, Griner was “safe.” In late March, sources close to the situation confirmed that Griner was in regular contact with her legal team.
Many players have been completely silent or extremely calculated in their comments about Griner, worried that talking about your situation could further jeopardize she. Multiple high-profile politicians have called for Griner’s release, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s agent, and the WNBA Players Association did not respond to requests for comment.
Follow National Correspondent Lindsay Schnell on Twitter @Lindsay_Schnell
Reference-www.usatoday.com