WNBA Player Brittney Griner Detained In Russia On Drug Charges


WNBA player Brittney Griner was inactive on drug charges in Russia in February and appears to still be detained within the country.

The Russian Federal federal agency issued an announcement on Sat language that a u. s. subject who could be a gold-medal-winning cager was detained in Sheremetyevo field close to Russian capital last month when customs staff aforesaid they found vapes containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Multiple Russian news outlets, together with TASS and Lenta.ru, later known the basketball player as Griner. Additionally, a video discharged by the customs service seemed to be Griner, The New York Times reported. The statement aforesaid officers have opened a criminal drug importing case against the athlete. The offense carries a penalty of 5 to ten years in prison. Griner, 31, could be a center for the Phoenix Mercury and won gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team within the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. “We are tuned in to and are closely watching the case with Brittney Griner in Russia,” the Phoenix Mercury said in a very statement. “We stay in constant contact along with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. we have a tendency to love and support Brittney and at this point our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe come back home.” Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, told the days she couldn't comment “on the specifics” of the case however she is “in shut contact with her, her delegacy in Russia, her family, her teams” and therefore the WNBA and NBA, and every one were operating to “get her home.” Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, denote on Instagram thanking fans for his or her support. “Thank you to everybody who has reached resolute me relating to my mate’s safe come back from Russia. ... Please honor our privacy as we have a tendency to still work on obtaining my wife home safely.” For many years, Griner has compete for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg throughout the U.S. off season. WNBA players usually play in Russia, wherever the pay is better, after they don't seem to be competitory for his or her yank teams. The announcement concerning Griner comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of land continues to increase and Russia faces harsh sanctions from the West. As tensions mount between Russia and therefore the United States, the days noted that Griner’s arrest is also a trial to come up with leverage for a unfortunate person exchange.

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