Earlier this week, it was announced that Russia released Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine, from custody through a prisoner swap after being held in prison for almost three years in Russia. While his friends and family were able to breathe a long-awaited sigh of relief, Reed’s release automatically raised questions about the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. Despite growing concern and an enormous public outcry from her fans and people who are generally concerned about her well-being, very little information has been disclosed about the country’s plans to intervene in her release, or if they will. Which has driven more concern for her safety and has also caused some people to question why has the WNBA and the U.S. been so tight-lipped about Griner’s case.
On February 17, Brittany Griner was arrested in Russia after Russian Federal Customs Services alleged that they discovered vape cartridges in her belongings, which contained marijuana concentrate hashish oil. Griner attended court on March 17 in Russia, and the court ordered that the 31-year-old championship WNBA star remain in custody until May 19. This news sparked greater concern about Griner’s case, and Reed’s recent release has caused additional questions, concerns, and a ray of hope for some. But experts caution that comparing Reed and Griner’s cases might be futile. The unfortunate truth is that Trevor Reed and Brittany Griner’s cases are very different, and Reed was released after serving almost three years in custody. But on the bright side, Reed’s release does indicate that there is still open communication between the U.S. and Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. That said, there might be hope that the United States can step in and strike a deal for Griner’s release.
As previously mentioned, Trevor Reed and Brittany Griner’s cases are very different. Reed was held in custody for three years for allegedly punching a police officer in Moscow. In contrast, Griner’s case, although non-violent, is substance-related – a substance that might be legal in the U.S. but is not legal in Russia. Officials say Griner’s release ultimately comes down to the Levinson Act. The Levinson Act was enacted with strong bipartisan support in December 2020, after Reed was detained in Russia. The law provides a list of criteria to determine whether someone is being held abroad wrongfully, including whether they're being given due process or evidence that the person is innocent. So, it might come down to determining if Griner is being held wrongfully and if she is being given due process. In Reed's case, experts have said that Russia sought to trade him for Russians who were being held in U.S. prisons, which led to his subsequent release after months of negotiations.
Reed was traded for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot convicted of conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the U.S. U.S. officials also felt that Reed did not experience due process while detained in Russia and that he was experiencing concerning health problems, which prompted them to intervene. More specifically, the State Department’s Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs became involved in his case to secure his release. But some are still questioning if the U.S. can help Griner, and if they can, why are things moving at what appears to be a snail’s pace. Sadly, legal experts say that Griner’s case is far from resolved. She is still working her way through the Russian legal system, so her case is still being handled by the State Department's consular office, which monitors the treatment of any American held abroad. What happens over the next weeks and months will determine whether the government reclassifies her as a hostage? Believe it or not, Griner has not even been formally charged with a crime yet.
Her next hearing is May 19, but under Russian law, she can be held in custody for up to a year before trial, and experts say there's a strong possibility her hearing will be postponed. After Reed’s release, some speculate that Griner’s team will become more vocal in their support and encourage the public to do the same. Fellow WNBA players have not been silent by choice. Instead, a few shared that they were told not to say much, creating more concern among fans about Griner’s release. But some legal experts maintain that there might be a reason why the WNBA has not been as vocal as some might hope and that Griner has more than likely not been forgotten. Some experts feel that protesting does very little to move the needle in these situations.
However, others argue that protesting can be effective. Maybe not effective in changing Vladimir Putin’s mind, but to put pressure on the American government to intervene. The Levinson Act aside, even if it is found that Griner is actually guilty and has not been wrongfully detained, there is still a good chance for her to get released. In the past, Russia has not released U.S. citizens who were arrested necessarily because of the person’s innocence, but because the U.S. government became involved and they wanted something or someone in return. The reality, experts say, is that if Putin's government wants Griner in custody, she will remain in custody. If they're offered a deal they like, they will release her. In Putin's Russia, her guilt or innocence is a detail. Although some might argue that rallying for Griner’s release is futile, other legal experts respectfully disagree, and perhaps it is time to become more vocal about pushing for Brittany Grinner’s release.
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Fans Are Still Concerned About Brittany Griner’s Release - Forbes
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