Brittney Griner guilty plea possible 'gamble' to speed up Russia exit: expert

Griner pleads guilty, presses Biden on Russian jailing.

Imprisoned basketball player Brittney Griner’s guilty plea to drug charges may play a role in speeding up her exit from Russia, but it’s a risky gamble that may have significant downsides, a hostage expert told Fox News Digital. 

"I can't say that's the right or the wrong thing to do because, in any event, the Russian system … it's not our system," said Hugh Dugan, the acting special envoy for hostage affairs during the Trump administration. "But that's the gamble based on the direction that her attorneys counsel her.

"To our eyes, it looks like, OK, this gets her into that status where they can do a [prisoner] swap."

Griner, who pleaded guilty to drug charges July 7, has been held in Russia since February after Russian authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

RUSSIAN PRISONER BRITTNEY GRINER AND THE GROWING TREND OF HOSTAGE DIPLOMACY

The guilty plea does not bring an end to the case, but some have suggested it could speed up the process along with Griner’s exit from prison. She could make herself eligible for a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington, D.C.

Dugan explained that, by the books, Griner would have to return to the U.S. and finish her sentence in an American prison, something he believes would not happen in any formal manner if it occurred. 

WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court outside Moscow July 7, 2022. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

"In that type of prisoner swap, you're supposed to finish your sentences and respect the judgment of each respective country," he said, adding that he would "doubt that the Russians would force their guy to sit in prison