In April 2019, yoga instructor Naama IssacharAs she attempted to board a connecting flight in Moscow, she was arrested. Russian authorities claimed they found 10 grams of marijuana in Issachars’ luggage.
What elsewhere in the world might have drawn a slap on the wrist in Russia resulted in drug-trafficking charges and a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Russia then Issachar was apparently used as a bargaining toolIn return for other political favors, I offered to swap prisoners or to free the 26 year-old Israeli-American.
The Issachars tale is a cautionary tale Brittney Griner, an American basketball star, was arrested at the same Moscow Airport last month in strikingly similar circumstances. Griner is being investigated for large-scale drug transportation and could spend up to 10 years prison sentence after Russian customs officials found vape cartridges containing havehish oil in her luggage.
Issachar spent nine months in prison, before Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister intervened. She negotiated her early releaseYahoo Sports was told by experts in U.S.-Russian relations that Griner shouldn’t be expected to make such a deal. Her detention occurs at a time of renewed hostility between former Cold War adversaries. Russia in war with UkraineAnd the U.S. joined Western allies in imposing crippling Economic Sanctions.
“Whatever kinda bargain could normally have been worked out at he political level is going to prove to be much more difficult to achieve right now,” said Tom Firestone who spent 14 years as resident legal adviser at U.S. Embassy Moscow. We came as close as diplomatic relations could be without actually cutting them off. That is not a good atmosphere to negotiate the release or release of a detainee.
Firestones comments came one day after Antony Blinken, who was asked about Griner’s situation, declined to speak directly about Griner. Generally, the U.S. Secretaryof State said to reporters that “Whenever an American is being held anywhere in this world, we stand ready and available to provide any assistance whatsoever, even in Russia.”
The United States has so far not been able to negotiate the release from Russia of two ex-Marines Blinken claims Russia has wrongly detained. After allegedly getting into an altercation in which he was involved with Russian police, Trevor Reed was sentenced in 2020 to nine years in Russian prison. Paul Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in Russian jail for alleged espionage.
Firestone isn’t the only one questioning how much assistance the State Department could give Griner in the middle of a conflict. William Partlett, an associate professor of Melbourne Law School and an expert in Russian politics, pointed out that there is less U.S. consular presence to assist with the case than usual and that tensions between Russia and the United States are only increasing.
Partlett stated that due to the diminishing trust and connections between the U.S.S.A. and Russia, any deal will be more difficult and longer.
Firestone agrees that Griner and her family should keep in touch with the State Department, in the event of a diplomatic solution. However, he believes that it is important to prepare a strong legal defense.
Firestone stated, “That’s the primary battle here Russian criminal law.”
While the Russian judicial system has been widely perceived as being subject to government influence, Americans have negotiated plea bargains in the past. Aubrey Lorber, 19, was one of these people. Was released from prison in September 2019.After less than two months in prison, a St. Petersburg court found her guilty for “attempting to import marijuana bought in the U.S. into Russia”.
Drew Holiner, an attorney who advises on Russian law matters, stated that Griner’s best case scenario is a similar plea agreement or early parole for good behaviour. Holiner stated that Griner would not serve a full 10 year sentence if Russia did not show vindictiveness.
Griner believes that it is best for her case to remain low-profile and unpoliticized in Russia. Her case could be made public and used as a propaganda tool by Russia President Vladimir Putin, who can turn her into a criminal defendant.
Griners supporters have so far not been aware of the potential dangers of speaking against Putin and fanning hatred. Since Saturday’s statements, neither her agent nor WNBA has commented on the situation.
Griner’s partner is the only person who has spoken out publicly. In an Instagram posting on Saturday night Cherelle GrinerI am aware that many of you have come to love BG over time and have questions and concerns. Please respect our privacy as I continue to work to get my wife safely home.
Two days later, Cherelle Posted againShe admitted that staying busy wasn’t helping and she tried to be productive. She said, “There are no words to describe this pain.”
Griner’s time in Russian custody has not been made public. Griner was just returning from New York to Russia when she was arrested. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who plays for European basketball powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg during WNBA offseason.
Firestone stated that Griners family did the right decision not to make Griner’s arrest public until Russia had announced it. Instead, they worked behind the scenes to free Griner or to mount a legal defence. Firestone said that any criticism Griner’s supporters make of Putin or Russia is only valid while she is still in custody.
Firestone stated that if it becomes political, it will not work in her favor. It would be more difficult for the prosecutors reach a plea deal with her.”
