Silence around Brittney Griner's Russia detainment is likely intentional

[zuul]

Silence around Brittney Griner's Russia detainment is deafening, and likely intentional

https://www.chron.com/politics/article/Silence-around-Brittney-Griner-Russia-detainment-17038676.php

Pro basketball player and Houston native Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia since mid-February with no signs of her release coming anytime soon, prompting calls for President Joe Biden to help expedite her return to the U.S. However, many fans are wondering why more isn't being said publicly about her case.

Griner, who plays in the Russian Premier league between WNBA seasons, was arrested at a Moscow-area airport after Russian officials accused her of carrying vape cartridges in her luggage that contained hashish oil, considered there to be a narcotic. The offense can carry up to 10 years in prison, a sentence some experts speculate could include time spent in a labor camp.

Richard Stoll, the Albert Thomas Professor of Political Science at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, said the silence surrounding Griner's case may be part of a greater strategy to help release her or at least grant the two-time Olympic gold medalist a lesser sentence. WNBA players who've been vocal on issues including the Black Lives Matters movement and voter registration have agreed to keep conversations about Griner "within the community" in hopes of avoiding hurting her case, according to reports by the Associated Press. And basketball hall of famer Lisa Leslie said on a recent podcast that she and Griner's friends and fellow players were told not to make a "big fuss" about the arrest.

Stoll, who specializes in international conflict, agreed, adding that anything they say on the topic could possibly be interpreted as criticism of Russia, or give its government ideas for how they could use Griner's detainment as part of future negotiations. "If I were advising her friends I would also say I think you should be very circumspect about saying anything," he said. "The odds of you saying something is more likely to hurt her chances of getting released than it would be to help."

[Hekate]

1. From the start I've believed she was framed for political reasons. I hope all US players in Russia...

…take that into consideration before ever playing there again.

[BlackSkimmer]

2. I can't imagine how awful this must be for her.

You’d feel utterly helpless and so far from home. I hope at least her family gets updates, even if we don’t.