T.J.Quinn explains the next steps for the United States and the basketball player after it was made public that the Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia in order to bring her back to the United States. There is a time and a place for it.
A verdict and sentence are expected at any time during the trial of the WNBA star. We got to this point quickly.
The 31 year old was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport outside of Moscow. She has been playing for the Russian club since the beginning of the year. Under Russia's drug laws, cannabis is not an exception. There is no announcement regarding her arrest.
The United States and other western nations imposed sanctions on Russia after it began an invasion of Ukraine.
According to The New York Times, the Russian Federal Customs Service has Griner in custody.
A former U.S. Marine was released from Russian custody in exchange for a Russian man who was sentenced to 20 years in the US for drug dealing. The first sign that a diplomatic channel is still open is the exchange between the two countries.
May 3 is when the U.S. Department of State makes a declaration. The United States will seek to negotiate her release rather than wait for the Russian case against her to come to a conclusion. The supporters of Griner have kept a low profile since she might be released. They pressed the White House to bring her back. Sources say that Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor, cabinet member and congressman, is working with his organization to get the release of Griner.
The Russian state media published a story about a possible swap for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
In early June, the United States offered to trade Bout for another American who is being held in Russia on espionage charges.
She is accused of trying to smuggle drugs into Russia. She will be sentenced to 10 years in jail.
She accidentally brought the drug into Russia and did not intend to break the law. The trial will continue until the whole case of the prosecutor is read into the record. The rest of the trial is a pre- sentencing hearing.
On July 19th, the White House announced that President Biden would sign an executive order to hold anyone involved in the wrongful detainment of an American citizen accountable. It's intended to make foreign governments think twice.
The U.S. made a " significant offer" for the release of the man. CNN reported that the offer included a swap for two people.
Russian officials said that deals should be conducted without fanfare and only after the conclusion of the trial.
August 4th is the last day of the trial. A verdict and sentence are expected soon after both sides give closing arguments.
The trial is a way for Russia to maintain legitimacy before a trade can be negotiated. The legal team knew that she would be found guilty and chose to have her plead guilty. She said she was denied her rights when she was arrested in Russia. When the judge issues a sentence, the strategy has been to get her to give her a less severe sentence.
According to sources, Griner is prepared for a 10-year sentence. The trial is just the beginning of discussions between the Russian and American governments. She is seen as a bargaining chip even if she is sentenced to 10 years.
Both sides can appeal in the legal field. The prosecution is allowed to argue their case. The focus will shift to the diplomatic world. The officials think that Russia will be more willing to negotiate once Griner gets sentenced. If she were released in a week, it wouldn't be a big deal, but talks can drag on for a long time.
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