via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence was rejected by a Russian court on October 25. The Phoenix Mercury center is stuck in a Moscow jail for over eight months now. Earlier this year, airport authorities seized vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil from her belongings. As Griner prepares to be sent to a Russian penal colony, a survey from YouGov media company has revealed some shocking stats regarding America’s take on a potential prison swap involving Brittney Griner.
The media company shared the details of the survey on its official Twitter account following the news that the Kremlin has kept the door open for a possible prisoner exchange involving Brittney Griner.
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Americans have divided opinions on Brittney Griner prison swap
The survey from early August suggests that 38% of Americans ‘somewhat or strongly’ disapproved of a prisoner swap for Griner. On the other hand, 23% were uncertain about the move.
Meanwhile, 39% of Americans ‘somewhat or strongly’ approved of the prisoner swap. The participants were aware of the prisoner exchange deal proposed by the US. The government offered to release Russian arms dealer Victor Bout in exchange for Britney Griner and US Marine Paul Whelan.?
In early August, Americans were split on the prisoner swap for Brittney Griner proposed by the Biden Administration (39% approve/38% disapprove).https://t.co/pJcNawT9Ki https://t.co/AIvLbDTgLo pic.twitter.com/DCpsLQD7jH
— YouGov America (@YouGovAmerica) October 27, 2022
BG’s last hope is a possible prisoner exchange deal after her appeal was rejected by a Russian court recently. She has been fighting for her freedom alone in Russia and going through the toughest phase of her life.
Kremlin reinstates prisoner swap talks for Griner
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The Russian authorities have finally opened up about their take on a possible prisoner exchange after months of silence. It was believed that the Kremlin did not want to give Joe Biden Administration an undue advantage in the midterm elections. So, they chose not to respond to the American government’s offer sooner. However, the Russian government has opened the doors again for discussing a possible swap for Griner.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently talked with reporters through a conference call. Peskov said, “We always say that any contacts about possible exchanges can only be conducted in silence under a tight lid on any information.”
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Thus, the recent suggestion from Kremlin could act as a light of hope for Griner, who is struggling in Russia. However, the Russian authorities reiterated that all the negotiations were required to be confidential. Hopefully, the two countries will reach an understanding and Brittney Griner will return soon.
