Editorial
American basketball star Brittney Griner reportedly may be used as a ‘high-profile hostage’ in Russia after being ‘detained’ by the country’s customs authorities.
According to reports, the two-time Olympic champion was ‘arrested’ last month when ‘vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage’.
Since hearing of the case, a former Pentagon official, named Evelyn Farkas, has supposedly opened up to Yahoo! Sports of her fears.
Find out how the US is attempting to help Brittney Griner leave Russia in the clip below…
The former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for Russia and Ukraine told the news outlet: “If we want her out of jail, Russia is going to have some terms.
“It could be a prisoner swap. They also could use it as an implicit threat or blackmail to get us to do something or not do something.
“Either way, they find it useful.”
Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, has also shared her concerns.
In Congress, she reportedly said: “We know that there were some issues dealing with vape cartridges and other items but let me be very clear.
“Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia, and I will be demanding her release.”
Ukrainian Mayor ‘Found Dead’ After ‘Taking Pro-Russian Position’
Lee reportedly went on to say how Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘has no right’ to hold Griner following his attack on Ukraine.
She continued: “I don’t want to disregard a sovereign nation but Putin has disregarded sovereign nations his entire service in this world.
“Anyone that is killing and attacking and destroying Ukraine, a neighbouring country that is not bothering them, has no right to hold Ms Griner. Period.”
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