Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years for Bringing Drugs into Russia

[yitzgar]

Even when talking about the marijuana possession alone, there is a major difference between the cases. She possessed it legally in her country, and very plausibly, mistakenly brought it to Russia. That is very different from the other case.

[CountValentine]

Since I know a little about pot let me say this. The amount he was found with shows an intent to sell.

[S209]

She possessed it legally in her country, and very plausibly, mistakenly brought it to Russia.

You can’t make such a mistake when visiting another country and everybody knows it. This is far from the first drastic punishment for a “mistaken” drug offense when visiting a foreign country.

[yitzgar]

You can’t make such a mistake when visiting another country and everybody knows it. This is far from the first drastic punishment for a “mistaken” drug offense when visiting a foreign country.

Maybe it was intentional, but I'm not as convinced as you are

[zh cohen]

Maybe it was intentional, but I'm not as convinced as you are

Do you think she didn't know she had it? Or she didn't know it was illegal? Or knew it was technically illegal but thought the law wouldn't be enforced?

[CountValentine]

Do you think she didn't know she had it? Or she didn't know it was illegal? Or knew it was technically illegal but thought the law wouldn't be enforced?

Yes 

[zh cohen]

There are many hundreds of examples of people languishing in jails for marijuana possession

I don't have the numbers off hand, but the vast majority (and perhaps almost all) of such people actually committed greater crimes. The reason they were only convicted of the marijuana possession charge is because they pled to that charge in exchange for the other charges being dropped, or they were not charged with the more serious crime because the prosecutors knew that the sentence would be the same.

The case you linked has an aspect that is a perfect example of that. They didn't bother testing all the bags he had because it would not have changed the sentance.

This is one reason why freeing people from prison because the crime they committed is now legal is not as simple as it sounds.

[TimT]

да

FTFY

[CountValentine]

FTFY

בסדר

[zh cohen]

Had this happened in Japan or Singapore, for example, would the president have issued the same statement?

I agree with you on this point.

One difference is that those countries are consistent in prosecuting these crimes so harshly. Is Russia also consistent? Or did they usually look past possession and are only enforcing the letter of the law for political reasons.

[S209]

I agree with you on this point.

One difference is that those countries are consistent in prosecuting these crimes so harshly. Is Russia also consistent? Or did they usually look past possession and are only enforcing the letter of the law for political reasons.

IINM Frum Yidden have been arrested and faced such sentencing in the past.

[S209]

Maybe it was intentional, but I'm not as convinced as you are

I’m not convinced of anything. But that doesn’t change the fact that you can’t make such a mistake. She’s an adult.

[CountValentine]

Seems the right is giddy over her jail sentence.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/conservatives-join-trump-in-siding-with-russia-after-brittney-griner-guilty-verdict/ar-AA10k811?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=e4a03b6bb8e5458f9a988d8992372543

[TimT]

Seems the right is giddy over her jail sentence.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/conservatives-join-trump-in-siding-with-russia-after-brittney-griner-guilty-verdict/ar-AA10k811?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=e4a03b6bb8e5458f9a988d8992372543

Any chance we can swap Trump for her ?

[CountValentine]

Any chance we can swap Trump for her ?

I would even throw in Biden but that would mean KH was president.

[TimT]

I would even throw in Biden

Deal killer

[zh cohen]

IINM Frum Yidden have been arrested and faced such sentencing in the past.

In Russia? There was the famous incident with the bochurim in Japan.

In Russia there was Naama Issachar, but that also may have been a political prosecution.

[Euclid]

In Russia? There was the famous incident with the bochurim in Japan.

In Russia there was Naama Issachar, but that also may have been a political prosecution.

https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/video-photos-the-true-story-from-the-family-of-the-bachur-released-from-russia/

What was this story?

[YitzyS]

This was the story as I remember it. A bochur from a prominent Lakewood family flew back from Eretz Yisroel to America with a stopover in Russia. He had a few bullets in his suitcase that he got from an Israeli soldier, and he was bringing them back as a souvenir, completely not realizing the significance of them. He was arrested in Russia for smuggling ammunition, and IIRC, he spent about 3 months in jail until they were able to secure his release.

[CountValentine]

This was the story as I remember it. A bochur from a prominent Lakewood family flew back from Eretz Yisroel to America with a stopover in Russia. He had a few bullets in his suitcase that he got from an Israeli soldier, and he was bringing them back as a souvenir, completely not realizing the significance of them. He was arrested in Russia for smuggling ammunition, and IIRC, he spent about 3 months in jail until they were able to secure his release.

Do you feel the same way about this case? @S209

You can’t make such a mistake when visiting another country and everybody knows it. This is far from the first drastic punishment for a “mistaken” drug offense when visiting a foreign country.