WNBA star Brittney Griner “ready for the worst” from Russian verdict and sentencing, sources say

WNBA star Brittney Griner’s trial in Russia on drug-related fees is predicted to return to an in depth Thursday, with a verdict and sentence anticipated at any time. Here is a fast take a look at how we bought so far.

Feb. 17: Griner, 31, is arrested whereas going by means of customs at Sheremetyevo Airport outdoors of Moscow. She is there to play for the Russian membership UMMC Ekaterinburg, the place she has performed throughout WNBA offseasons since 2014. Customs officers say they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. Russia has harsh drug legal guidelines with no exceptions for hashish below any circumstances. There is no such thing as a public announcement of her arrest.

Feb. 24: Russian navy forces, on the orders of Vladimir Putin, start an invasion of Ukraine, triggering a sequence of harsh financial sanctions from america and different western nations.

March 5: The Russian Federal Customs Service, as reported by The New York Times, pronounces it has Griner in custody on drug fees.

April 27: Former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, who has been held in Russia since August 2019, is unexpectedly launched from Russian custody in trade for Russian nationwide Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was serving a 20-year sentence in america for smuggling medicine. The trade is the primary hopeful signal for Griner’s household {that a} diplomatic channel stays open between the 2 nations regardless of the warfare in Ukraine.

Might 3: The U.S. Division of State declares Griner a wrongful detainee. No clarification is given as to why, nevertheless it means america will search to barter her launch somewhat than anticipate the Russian case in opposition to her to return to a conclusion. Up so far, Griner’s supporters have saved a low profile within the occasion she is perhaps launched earlier than going through trial. After the announcement, they actively press the White Home to deliver her dwelling. Sources say Invoice Richardson, the previous U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (and former governor, cupboard member and congressman), is working together with his group to safe Griner’s launch.

Might 13: Russian state media publishes a narrative that Griner is perhaps traded for convicted Russian arms supplier Viktor Bout, who’s serving a 25-year sentence in america.

Early June: The US secretly provides to commerce Bout for Griner and one other American thought of to be wrongfully detained, Paul Whelan, who has been in Russian custody on espionage fees since December 2018.

July 1: Griner’s trial begins in Khimki, a Moscow suburb, on fees that she tried to smuggle medicine into Russia. She faces 10 years in jail.

July 7: Griner pleads guilty however says she by chance introduced cannabis oil into Russia and didn’t intend to interrupt the legislation. Beneath Russian legislation, the trial will proceed till the whole prosecutor’s case is learn into the report. Witnesses are also referred to as, making the rest of the trial a de facto pre-sentencing hearing.

July 19: The White Home pronounces that President Biden is signing an executive order to carry anybody concerned within the wrongful detainment of an American citizen accountable. It’s meant to create a deterrence for overseas governments.

July 27: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pronounces america made a “significant offer” for Griner’s launch in June. CNN reviews that the supply included buying and selling Bout for Griner and Whelan.

July 28: Russian officers reply by saying that any deals should be conducted without fanfare, and solely after the completion of Griner’s trial.

Aug. 4: The final scheduled day of Griner’s trial. Each side are anticipated to offer closing arguments, Griner is to be given the ultimate phrase, and a verdict and sentence are anticipated quickly after.

What has Griner’s protection been?

U.S. officers and most specialists have stated her trial is theater, a method for Russia to take care of the veneer of legitimacy earlier than a commerce might be negotiated. Griner’s authorized staff knew she can be convicted and selected to have her plead responsible whereas saying she by no means meant to interrupt the legislation. She additionally has stated she was denied her rights as a defendant under Russian law when she was arrested. The technique has been to hunt leniency from the choose when she points a sentence.

Will that work?

So far as the precise sentence, sources informed ESPN that Griner is “ready for the worst,” which might be 10 years. However Griner’s household and supporters have identified all alongside that the trial is merely prelude to the one deliberations that matter: negotiations between the Russian and American governments. Even when she is sentenced to 10 years, the sentence is seen as a bargaining chit. Authorized observers have informed ESPN that if Russia does hit her with a heavy sentence, it’s going to solely reinforce the argument that her trial was by no means reliable.

What occurs after the sentence?

Within the authorized area, each side are in a position to enchantment. (That is proper, the prosecution is allowed to enchantment.) However for all functions, the emphasis will shift to the diplomatic world. Officers count on that Russia is perhaps extra inclined to hasten negotiations as soon as Griner has been sentenced. It would not be a shock if she had been launched in per week, however expertise reveals that talks can drag on for years.