Russia clapped back at the U.S. over the latter’s claim that Brittney Griner’s detainment was “illegal.”
A statement was issued to CNN yesterday stating:
“She [Griner] was caught red-handed while trying to smuggle hash oil. In Russia, this is a crime. In accordance with paragraph ‘c’ of part 2 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (drug smuggling), she faces a prison term of up to 10 years.”
Griner was detained sometime in February and taken into custody (on February 18th) based upon the decision of the Khimki District Court of Moscow Region.
She is currently being held in a detention facility.
“The charges are serious, based on objective facts and evidence that is available,” said the ministry. “Attempts by the [U.S.] State Department to cast doubt on the validity of the detention of B. Griner are explained solely by the desire to influence justice by politicizing a generally understandable situation.”
The ministry’s claim of attempted politicization is ironic, and essentially hypocritical when you think about Putin’s rationale for invading Ukraine and the timing and significance of Griner’s arrest.
Griner’s arrest came right around the time of both escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the eventual invasion of the latter on February 24th.
She is a 6’9, Black and gay star athlete, which is basically what Putin’s orthodox regime detests.
Griner becomes a bargaining chip, really a hostage, in a war that is crippling Russia’s economy and pushing the U.S. to supply billions in aid.
A little over a week ago, the U.S. State Department attempted to escalate matters by declaring that Russia “wrongfully detained” Brittney Griner.
That shifted the responsibility for bringing her home to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
“When it comes to our efforts to free Americans, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Ambassador Carstens, he will go anywhere, he will talk to anyone if it means that we’re able to come home with an American, to reunite that American with her or his family,” said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
But Russia is still playing hardball.
“The final point in the case should be made by the court,” said the statement.
And the court isn’t playing around, as they just, according to an AP story, extended her pre-trial detention by a month.
So the negotiations continue while Griner sits in a Russian jail facing a possible 10-year sentence.
