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Former Russian prisoner and American citizen, Trevor Reed, has detailed what he believes life could look like for WBNA star Brittney Griner in a Russian prison.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for possession of cannabis while in Russia.
She pleaded guilty to bringing vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil into Russia, which is a crime.
Reed told CNN, “Regardless of how you feel about Brittney Griner’s case, that sentence is clearly political. There’s no denying that.”
Reed went on to explain what the Russian prison camps are like and what Griner could expect being in one.
“Once you are convicted in Russian court, you do have a chance to go to appeals, and appeal that decision to another kangaroo court in Moscow. So after that trial, you know, depending on Brittney’s decision on whether she wants to appeal or not, she may stay in Moscow at the detention facility that she is already at until her appeals are completed. Or if she chooses not to go to appeals, they may transfer her to a forced labor camp. Considering the fact that the Russian government is considering exchanging her, they may also decide to leave her in Moscow to make it easier for her to be returned to the United States,” he said.
He also mentioned that anyone at a Russian labor camp is “facing serious threats to their health” because of malnutrition and lack of medical care.
“I am hoping that there will be an exchange that we are able to get them home, so I am hoping for the best in that,” he said of Griner and Paul Whelan.
Griner’s attorney, Maria Blagovolina told People,
“She’s devastated. She is very upset and she’s honestly quite shocked, so she needs to digest what happened today.”
Her attorney mentioned that the punishment for this crime is usually not as severe as the sentencing they gave Griner.
“So nine years, it’s pretty unusual and it contradicts the existing court practice in Russia,” she said.
“That’s why we are really disappointed and very much surprised by this decision of the court.”
Her attorney also said that they intend to appeal and that “as a legal team, we need to do [the] maximum to get a shorter term. We need to use every legal opportunity that we have, and [an] appeal is one of those opportunities.”
They believe the likely scenario is that a prisoner exchange will happen between the United States and Russia.
Her attorney also said, “Brittney sets an example of being brave. She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows that she is a role model for many people.”
“Considering the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of the substance, and BG’s personality and history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the plea will be considered by the court as a mitigating factor and there will be no severe sentence.”
There has not been a prisoner trade as of yet.
Let her rot in hell there. Anti American Communust
Sick to death of this stupid clown! A man who couldn’t play with the men pretending to be something else! IT deserves nothing from America! Let
it work in a labor camp, so it stays in shape for 9 years! The laws are made to be followed in every country! Guess it didn’t know that!
This pivture of a penis is very offensive take it down or i will report you
how sad for the other american in the russian prison, it took a basket ball player before anybody considered getting him home…. shows you the mentality of DC
Because, G0BDEM CR00K !