An expert shared why Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Brittney Griner's hostage situation is a "no-win" situation amid Russian detention for cannabis oil possession.
The basketball star made a guilty plea in hopes of receiving leniency but is a risky gamble that may have severe consequences. Hugh Dugan, the acting special envoy for hostage affairs during former United States President Donald Trump's administration, shared his opinion of the situation.
Britney Griner Hostage Situation
He said that he was unable to say for certain whether the guilty plea was the right thing to do for Griner, arguing that in any event, the Russian system is not the U.S. system. He said that it was a gamble based on the direction that the WNBA star's attorneys counsel her.
The hostage expert said that many people who were observing the situation would think that the plea would allow Griner to be swapped with a prisoner that Russia wants to free. The basketball athlete has been helped since July 7 in Russia after authorities found cartridges that contained hashish oil in her luggage, as per Fox News.
Despite the guilty plea, Griner's case continues and some have suggested it could help speed up the process along with her exit from a Russian prison. Some argued that she could make herself eligible for a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington, D.C.
Dugan added that in that type of prisoner swap, a defendant is supposed to finish their sentences and respect the judgment of each respective country. He added that he would "doubt that the Russians would force their guy to sit in prison there for another so many years.
According to Yahoo News, initially, public discussion of Griner's case was muted despite her high profile. This was because friends and families allegedly heeded advice from U.S. officials who argued that excess attention might complicate back-channel negotiations to secure the basketball star's release.
Political Pawns
However, that situation changed in May when the State Department announced that they determined Griner was "wrongfully detained." American officials signaled that they would work more aggressively to bring the defendant back home.
Since then, United States President Joe Biden's administration has been faced with increasing public pressure from people closest to Griner and the broader sports community. The defendant's wife, Cherelle Griner, said that she had "zero trust in our government." Her remarks come after the State Department reportedly botched an attempt to allow the couple to speak over the phone on their wedding anniversary.
Cherelle added that it was "disheartening" that she had not been able to speak to President Biden directly. But the Democratic leader did call her earlier this month and said that he is "working to secure" the basketball star's release as soon as possible.
Griner's situation has highlighted the possibility that dozens of Americans are being held by foreign adversaries as political pawns in disputes with the United States. There are rumors that three American military veterans were also captured by enemy forces after traveling to Ukraine to fight Russia, the New York Times reported.
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