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HOSTAGE HELL
Brittney Griner’s worst-case scenario revealed as US pushes for WNBA star’s release from Russian jail
FEARS over WNBA star Brittney Griner's conditions in a Russian jail are escalating as the US continues to push for her release.
The Phoenix Mercury All-Star center has been jailed in since February on alleged drug smuggling charges - an imprisonment the administration has determined to be unlawful.
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Russian state media outlet previously reported that Griner's only grievance in Russian captivity is that the beds are too small for her 6-foot-9 frame, claiming the WNBA star had "no complaints about the conditions of detention."
However, Esquire Digital Chief Legal Analyst Aron Solomon told The US Sun the star's scenario could be far worse than reported.
"The literal worst-case scenario here is that she is physically harmed, intentionally or not," Solomon said.
"How safe can it be for her to be in a Moscow jail?"
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'THE REAL ISSUE'
Solomon claims that because of the WNBA's small fan base, Griner's incarceration isn't receiving the national attention it should.
"This is the real issue. If this was Kyrie Irving, this would be on the front page of papers every day," he said.
"We'd have #FreeKyrie hashtags at the top of trending topics every day. That we aren't doing a collective better job of what Britney Spears' fans did with the #FreeBritney hashtag is a real shame."
On Tuesday, the State Department said the US will more aggressively work to secure the WNBA All-Star's release even as the legal case against her plays out.
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“The U.S. government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner,” the department said.
“Brittney has been detained for 75 days, and our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home,” Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, told the .
GRINER PRISONER SWAP?
Hopes for Griner's potential release bloomed after former Marine Trevor Reed was freed in a prisoner swap with Russia last week.
Prior to his release, Reed had been jailed in a Russian prison for 985 days after being accused of intentionally endangering the lives of government officials in the line of duty.
Russian cops claimed that Reed got drunk and grabbed the arm of an officer as he was being taken to a station in allegations that US officials dismissed as “preposterous.”
The Texas veteran was handed a nine-year prison sentence for the supposed crime.
Despite the prisoner swap release that freed Reed, Solomon doesn't see it as a positive sign for Griner.
"Contrary to the belief of many observers, I don't see Trevor Reed's release as a positive sign for Brittney Griner," Solomon told The US Sun.
"In the Reed case, both Russian and the US found a suitable swap - we can safely assume that this took many months of negotiation.
"Assuming that Russia and the US don't yet have a suitable exchange for Griner, we stay where we are today."
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GRINER'S WIFE SPEAKS OUT
Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, spoke out on social media about the star's incarceration and begged for her release.
“I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
“I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.”
Griner, who was visiting Russia to compete for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA's off-season, was detained at 's Sheremetyevo airport after a scan allegedly revealed that she had cartridges containing "liquid with hashish oil."
Cannabis is illegal in Russia.
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As a result, a criminal case was opened, and she was arrested.
The two-time US Olympic gold medalist now faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
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