Concerns surface over Russia using WNBA star’s arrest as bargaining chip [Video]

• Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport last month after a luggage search revealed vape cartridges containing hashish oil.
• According to the Russian Federal Customs Service, large-scale transportation of drugs could lead up to 10 years in prison.
• Griner’s detainment has caused concerns that Russia could use her as a bargaining chip amid its war over Ukraine.

Following reports of WNBA star Brittney Griner getting arrested in Russia, a former top Pentagon official expressed her concerns that Russia could continue detaining her as “leverage over the United States.”

Evelyn Farkas, who served as the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia and Ukraine from 2012-15, said that Russia may consider Griner a “high-profile hostage” who could be used as a bargaining chip.

Farkas said that Russia could issue some demands, such as a “prisoner swap,” or use her detainment “as an implicit threat or blackmail to get us to do something or not do something.”

Griner was arrested last month after a luggage search at a Moscow airport revealed vape cartridges containing hashish oil.

The Russian Federal Customs Service accused her of large-scale transportation of drugs, which carries up to 10 years of imprisonment.

The Russian authorities did not name Griner but described the detainee as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a member of the U.S. women’s national team.

They also released a 51-second clip of a person, who seemed to be the 6-foot-9 Griner, going through airport security.

Reports of the arrest were not denied by WNBA nor Griner’s agent.

Agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas said on Saturday, “We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA.”

Associate professor William Partlett of Melbourne Law School, who is an expert on Russian politics, told Yahoo Sports that the current situation puts Griner at more risk. He added that “there is far less of a U.S. consular presence in Russia right now to help with Brittney’s case.”

Partlett added that Griner may not have a fair trial, since the proceedings could depend on “instructions from above… and this might include an attempt to try to use her release as a bargaining chip.” Even such a bargain may be delayed.

Partlett suggested, “Maybe the US has someone in custody who they could exchange? But the sanctions and aid to Ukraine will not be lessened in order to get her out.”

Griner has been playing overseas during the winter season to supplement her modest WNBA salary, just like many American women’s basketball stars. Apparently, some teams in Russia or Turkey pay the world’s best players almost five times the WNBA’s maximum salary.

Griner’s Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, “pays per month at a level no one matches,” according to women’s basketball agent Mike Cound.

Drew Holiner, an attorney who advises in matters of Russian law, said that it’s unclear whether Russia is detaining her for political purposes, but there has been some precedent.

Two former U.S. marines have been detained in separate incidents. Trevor Reed allegedly has an altercation with Russian police officers while Paul Whelan was accused of espionage. Last August, an American teacher was accused of smuggling marijuana and cannabis into the country.

Farkas said, “It’s a reminder to people doing business in Russia, living in Russia, traveling to Russia that there is no rule of law. In Russia, you are not protected.”

Source: Aol.com