Griner Being Used as “Political Pawn” As Russia Extends Imprisonment

Summary

• Russia ignores pressure from US and continues to detail WNBA star
• Brittney Griner is being used as a political pawn amid the Russia-Ukraine war
• Pressure mounts on US to secure her immediate release

Four months after being arrested at an airport in Russia on drug charges, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Brittney Griner still stays in prison.

The US State Department in May officially classified Griner as “wrongfully detained“, fuelling hopes that the basketball superstar would soon be reunited with her friends and family.

However, with her detention extended again through at least July 2, there are now calls for America’s top leaders to do whatever it takes to secure her freedom. Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas took to social media this week to criticize the recent decision by Russian authorities to extend Griner’s detention for another few weeks, saying it was another proof that Russia was using the athlete as a “political pawn“.

Western countries, led by the US, have imposed major sanctions against Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, including freezing the country’s central bank assets and implementing an oil and gas embargo. Griner was arrested in Russia just days before the country began its invasion of Ukraine.

The Phoenix Mercury center’s detention has been extended thrice already. Russia is said to be using her as a high-profile hostage in response to widespread Western sanctions against the country. America’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war is also believed to have impacted ongoing negotiations to free her from jail.

When US declared Griner as wrongfully detained in May, there were speculations the 31-year-old could be freed in a detainee swap involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Buot known as the “Merchant of Death” who is currently serving 25 years in a US jail.

However, Russia declined the prisoner swap, with Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying a court inquiry into Griner’s case needed to be completed first before considering such actions.

Biden, Harris Urged to Act Now for Griner’s Immediate Release

Describing her detention as “inhumane and unacceptable“, Kagawa-Colas called on US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to act urgently and do anything humanly possible to bring her home.

The WNBA’s teammates, supporters, family, and friends, have also once again called on the US to secure her freedom. The US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs is overseeing her case, leading the government’s diplomatic efforts to free her. The same office played a crucial role in securing the release of American citizen Trevor Reed who was freed via prisoner swap back in April.