WNBA player Britney Griner arrested in Russia: updated: wokes expected sellout crowd, nope lol

Russia probably doesn't want the Merchant of Death back so we are gonna up our offer. Maybe we need to get Morey involved and trade some future considerations.

I really hope she comes home soon but she may have to wait for another administration.

 

https://theconversation.com/brittne...-will-be-decided-outside-the-courtroom-188271

Brittney Griner's sentence is in line with Russia's strict drug penalties – but how long she serves will be decided outside the courtroom
by William E. Butler, Distinguished Professor of Law, Penn State
Published: August 4, 2022 7.30pm EDT

The sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years behind bars and a fine of 1 million rubles – between US$10,000 and $20,000 depending on the exchange rate – should come as no surprise to those familiar with Russian law.

The country has long enforced strict drug laws and has a well-deserved reputation for zero-tolerance jurisdiction.

Indeed, the crime Griner was prosecuted of – smuggling narcotics in “significant amount” in violation of Article 229¹(2)(c) of the Russian criminal code – carries a minimum sentence of five to 10 years “deprivation of freedom” along with the fine, and the upper end of the spectrum seems to be common. The prosecutor in Griner’s case asked for 9 ½ years and, presumably, the maximum fine. He got most of what he wanted.

The backdrop of the case – worsening ties between Moscow and the Washington – may lead some observers to wonder if Griner was handed an unduly harsh sentence to up her worth as a bargaining chip during discussions over a potential prisoner swap. U.S. President Joe Biden responded to the announcement of Griner’s sentence by denouncing the verdict and sentence as “unacceptable.”

But as longtime scholar of Russian law, I can say the sentence announced in the Khimki District Court outside Moscow on Aug. 4, 2022, is more or less in line with what was expected. Moreover, I believe the sentence itself does little to change the equation when it comes to any quid pro quo with Russia regarding the potential exchange of detained nationals – any negotiation over her fate will now take place outside the courtroom.

The facts of the case
Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport on Feb. 17, 2022, after a sniffer dog detected vaping cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. The Russian Criminal procedure code provided that Griner, as a foreigner with no permanent residence in Russia, was ineligible for bail.

The length of time Griner spent in detention after her arrest – nearly six months – is not unusual in drug cases of this nature in Russia and will be counted toward her sentence. And aside from the heightened international interest, the trial seemingly played out in line with Russian criminal procedure.

Under the Russian criminal procedure code, there are no “pleas”; prosecutors have to prove guilt regardless of any confession. And the evidence was there in the shape of the vape cartridges seized by customs officials along with witness statements.

In court, Griner acknowledged guilt and apologized for what she described as a mistake when packing her luggage. Her lawyers said that Griner’s cannabis oil was for medical purposes, to deal with chronic pain resulting from injuries sustained during her playing career. Griner, meanwhile, testified that she had no intention to break the law.

But in line with other jurisdictions, including the U.S., ignorance of the laws is no defense in Russia.

A pawn in US-Russian diplomacy?
If the fate of Griner was set the moment she was caught with an illegal drug in a Moscow airport, her future is less certain.

Griner has 10 days to appeal. The appeal will probably be heard rather rapidly, as standard Russian practice is to do so, but that also depends on the grounds of the appeal. If unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, additional appeals by way of cassation on issues of law may be heard at the discretion of the higher court, assuming grounds exist for this.

If all appeals fail, Griner’s lawyers can apply to a presidential commission for a pardon or hope for amnesty.

Given that Griner is being discussed in the context of a possible prisoner swap, it seems unlikely that the Kremlin will set Griner free without a reciprocal move from the U.S. government.

But Griner’s currency as a pawn in U.S.-Russian relations, with Moscow seemingly willing to barter over the future of the high-profile prisoner, will likely change little as a result of her sentence. To many in the U.S., nine years’ imprisonment may seem like a harsh penalty for cannabis possession. But in Russia, it is par for the course for this crime.

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MoD is washed.

BG is KD. Russia wants a Gobert-like return.

 

If this is so common — how many foreigners are being held in Russia today for such long sentences for a similar kind of offense?

One can’t help but be suspicious given the timing of the whole thing. It has the appearance of a hostage situation.

 

Take away - don't go to Russia for any reason as they can ruin your life of trivial BS. It's really easy to end up with a small amount of contraband in your bags while traveling. One thing that is perfectly legal in one place can be completely illegal in another.

 

You're probably right. Have there been any other instances of this? The author of that article seems to suggest that the sentence for cases like this is not unusual in Russia, but I don't know how he makes that statement if this is really so unique. There must be some other examples.

 

The global propaganda campaign against weed over the last century has been such an insane ****up. Wish more libs like me and Os were in charge

 

He's likely talking about Russians that are convicted of similar drug crimes.

 

forget that Putin is the leader, Russia doesn't even seem like an interesting place to go...I know she went there for money tho

Idk much about Russian cuisine, but if a place isn't known for having good food, it's not high on my list for a vacation. Is Russian food good? Or is it like the Scandinavian cuisine I discovered recently that looks absolutely awful. I'm not going somewhere and we're eating cold deli meat or some greasy, sloppy looking soup talking about "this is the national dish"...I'll have a whole attitude

Houston to Russia flight an entire day or more too

I want to go to Japan just to experience it

 

Even some numbers on how many of those cases there are would be good to know. But a foreigner traveling to a country without knowing all the rules or understanding the severity of the punishment for breaking those rules is a pretty different situation. Is there precedent for foreigners getting caught in airports and being given the same punishment as Russians, without any leniency?

 

You really don't think she knew the rules? She's been playing in Russia for years. I wouldn't be surprised if she was a pothead and got away with this type of stuff before.

She knew that Russia and Ukraine were getting into it. There was a warning put out by the US Government to Americans traveling to Russia to be on their best behavior prior to her trip. She got caught. They're treating her as they would any of their own. Why would they treat her any better?

 

I wonder how many Americans were happy about that verdict? Really shows how ****ed this country is in terms of social discourse.

 

Given that she is not a Russian citizen, if she breaks their rules they can fine her and then kick her out of the country and not allow her to ever return. It's not like she victimized someone over there.

I don't see much point in a punishment like this, other than to use her as a bargaining chip for a prisoner exchange. Do you?

 

Putin now wants wants AOC to be his play thing , A box of Skittles and a lifetime pass to Disney World After turning down Biden’s offer for the merchant of death…best offer

 

it happened to someone else in June

The family of an American sentenced to 14 years at a hard labor camp in Russia fears that he has been given what amounts to a "a death sentence" and is calling on the Biden administration to designate him as wrongfully detained, which would trigger formal diplomatic efforts to secure his release.

American citizen Marc Fogel worked for nearly a decade as a history teacher at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, where children of US diplomats were among his students.
"He is a very, very much beloved teacher, an award-winning teacher," one of his sisters, Anne Fogel, told CNN. "He is an incredibly enthusiastic person, has an amazing zest for life. And that has made him an outstanding teacher, and his students have loved him."
He was arrested 11 months ago at an airport in the Russian capital, where he was returning for the school year, after traveling into the country with cannabis.

His family and lawyer said he was carrying it for medical purposes that had been recommended by a doctor to treat "severe spinal pain."

Last month, he was found guilty in a court just outside of Moscow -- the same where the trial of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner is taking place -- of committing "large-scale drugs smuggling" and given the 14-year sentence.

 

Thanks. That was what I was looking for.

 

no problem

he tried to bring 17g of medical mar1juana hidden in a contacts lens case into Russia, and they did not accept his medical excuse

his case is tragic as he will likely die there