Brittany Griner pleads guilty in Russia, but experts warn next steps could have dire consequences – Henri Klub

Brittany Griner pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking charges on Thursday after months being held in Russian custody — and now, experts say, obtaining his release in a potential prison swap could be a complicated process with serious implications.

During his appearance in court, Griner stated that he “intended” to Not a violation of Russian law. He could face up to 10 years in prison.

“I want to be guilty, your honor. But no punishment was intended. I didn’t want to break the law,” she said, adding that she would testify at a later date.

His case has not been decided, but there is talk of a prisoner swap for Griner, which is maintained by the State Department. wrongfully detainedHas been the focus of conversation as his trial continues.

Brittany Griner ‘decided to take full responsibility for her actions’ with guilty plea, says legal team

Hugh Dugan, a US academic and longtime diplomat who served as the special presidential envoy for hostage cases under the Trump administration, told Fox News Digital that Griner’s guilty plea further complicated his release because it was under pressure from the Russian government. Offers a bargaining chip.

“This brings him closer to being recognized as a convicted felon” Less than 1% chance of acquittal. I guess if she hadn’t reached this point, there would have been more wiggle room, and let the system take it out and classify her as such. But this, in my view, may make him a more valuable resource for Russia, because now they can say that under their law we have a legitimate criminal, and we must be honest to our system, etc.” Dugan explained.

Brittany Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion.
(Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the names being reported as a possibility is Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the “Death Merchant” after being convicted of conspiracy to kill and aiding American civilians. Serving a 25-year sentence in America. a terrorist organization.

Dugan explained that this scenario would not be considered “proportionate” to the charges in each respective case.

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout walks through temporary chambers before a hearing at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on August 20, 2010.
(Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

“When we swap something like this with a hardened terrorist, the proportionality isn’t the same. And it’s always a big concern in conversation that we don’t devalue our person to such an extent that the next One day the same country will take one of our tourists and another American around innocently to take advantage of some major foreign policy asset that we have.”

Brittany Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

That sentiment was echoed by Tom Schwartz, a distinguished professor of history at Vanderbilt University, who called a prison swap In a high-stakes case like “slippery slope”.

“This type of prisoner swap is a slippery slope, opening up other opportunities for kidnapping of Americans in other countries and attempts by other countries to gain prisoner release,” he told Fox News Digital.

Fox News contributor Dan Hoffman, former CIA station chief, said “Fox News Rundown” Podcast that the practice of prisoner swaps in such cases is not a new strategy for the Kremlin.

“The United States has historically been driven to make Faustian bargains with the Soviet Union or in this case the KGB operative in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, attends the Victory Day military parade to mark the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II in Moscow on May 9.
(Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP, file)

Following news of Griner’s plea on Thursday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticized the US government for portraying the WNBA star’s case and “propaganda” about his detention.

“We have a long-standing framework for discussing such issues. The efforts of the US side to campaign are too obvious to make noise on the subject, and they are pragmatic of the issues. “Solutions don’t help.”

Schwartz said Ryabkov’s comments indicated the Kremlin was well aware of the urgency behind Griner’s release.

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“He’s doing it in position and making it clear that Russia now recognizes, you might say, the value of Brittany Griner. I think it could be a bargaining position in that sense by saying that the movement is for her.” is for.” He pressures the President to act quickly and release him as the movement shows no signs of calming down. In this sense, there is no opportunity for quiet diplomacy in this particular case. It appears.”

WNBA basketball superstar Brittany Griner arrives for a hearing at Khimki Court outside Moscow on July 1.
(Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Foreign Minister Griner will have an opportunity to appeal or apply for clemency after the verdict is pronounced, but the real possibility, while not certain, is grave, it said on Wednesday.

“The Russian judicial system may enjoy giving him a little less and taking some credit for showing some leniency, but I don’t think we’re talking about his being released,” Schwartz said. Judging Vladimir Putin has proved to be a very misplaced obsession on the part of Western analysts who thought he would not attack. [Ukraine], thought he wouldn’t do it, and he does. So he can surprise us again.”

A resolution, in this case, is likely to be a long and difficult process, Rebekah Koffler, a Russian-born former US intelligence officer and expert on Russia and Vladimir Putin, told Fox News Digital.

“Putin’s government has already sent its demands to Washington through official channels or back channels. But it is usually very difficult to decide on these cases because of the two legal systems … The US side has been able to support Ms. Griner’s arrest. Not considered legal even if a substance that is illegal was found in his possession. The Russians insist the arrest is legitimate, and they want the US to accept it. So it is semantics in a sense. It will be a US fight that reflects a confrontation between Russia and the United States over control of Ukraine.”

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Brittany Griner (42) at a WNBA playoff game on September 26, 2021 in Everett, Wash.
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, FILE)

Ryabkov’s comments on Thursday further cemented the fight that is yet to come.

“the firmness with which the representatives of the US administration and concerned” [government] Structures in Washington call on those who have been sentenced by us on serious charges to await a fair verdict, [as] The “detained person” is a reflection of Washington’s reluctance to see the world adequately.