Is Brittney Griner a hostage in Russia? Prisoner swap may key freedom

All signs point to Brittney Griner being convicted in Russia on drug charges that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years. Conviction, even before Griner pleaded guilty “without intent” last week at her trial, was almost certain – less than 1% of cases in Russia end in acquittal.

The eight-time WNBA All-Star toiling for years in a Russian penal colony, however, is not the desired outcome for her supporters or the United States government, which has classified her as “wrongfully detained.”