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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)
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 is still in Russian imprisonment, since February 2022. The Moscow court has also rejected her recent appeal, meaning Griner will remain in the prison for next eight years. This was an expected result for many including Griner’s agent, given Russia?s strict prison laws and the two nations’ history.
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According to some former prisoners and advocates, Griner will face harsh and life-threatening during her detention. With each date passed since her arrest, the Phoenix Mercury star’s absence from the court has also affected her fellow players, teammates, fans, and others close to her.
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US-Russia rivalry affecting Brittney Griner?s life?
Even though the US officials are confident that Russia will send back Griner in a prison exchange, they are furious with the way Russia is responding to their prior offers. The conflict between the two superpower nations is well-known and many believe this might have fueled Russia to take more serious actions against the USA player.
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In a thread on Twitter, Griner?s agent, Lindsay Colas, said, ?Brittney Griner is being held by Russia simply because she is an American.? Colas also said that Griner is being ?used as a political pawn,” and the results of the trials were unsurprising.
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Brittney Griner’s nine-plus year sentence is regarded as harsh and extreme by Russian legal standards. Today’s disappointing, yet unsurprising, appeal outcome further validates the fact that she is being held hostage and is being used as a political pawn. [con't]
— Lindsay Kagawa Colas (she/her) (@kagawacolas) October 25, 2022
According to NBC, Griner, who is black and gay, might also be receiving harsher treatment due to her identity.
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What is next for Brittney Griner?
The U.S officials believe that Russia will send Griner back in prison exchange, however, nothing is official yet. Griner, who was arrested for carrying cartridges of cannabis oil, is likely to be sent to the Soviet gulag, a brutal system of labor camps. Such camps lack basic hygiene facilities, brutal assault on prisoners, deadly working hours, etc.
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Griner has missed several important games and tournaments since February 2022. This includes the beginning of the WNBA season, the All-Star Game, the start of the playoffs, and the FIBA World Championship. However, right now everyone is hoping that Griner will safely return to her home, to her near and dear ones.
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