ABOVE: Brittney Griner’s mugshot via Russia’s state Channel One TV.
The Phoenix Mercury’s WNBA star Brittney Griner had her detention in Russia for the possession of vape cartridges containing hash oil extended until May 19, the Russian state news agency TASS reported.
TASS reported that the Khimkinsky court of the Moscow Oblast region ruled to detain Griner for at least two more months.
“The court granted the petition of the investigation and extended the term of U.S. citizen Griner’s detention until May 19,” TASS quoted the court as saying.
Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Public Monitoring Commission, a semi-official body with access to Russian prisons, told TASS Griner was sharing a cell with two other women with no previous convictions, adding that Griner’s only issue was that the prison beds were too short for her 6’7″ frame.
WNBA center Brittney Griner appeared in a Moscow court today, where she reportedly pleaded not guilty (to drug charges). The court extended her detention for another two months, according to @mash_breaking pic.twitter.com/Lm0TPzNYH0
— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) March 17, 2022
Radio Free Europe/RadioLiberty reported that Griner has been playing in Russia for the last seven years in the WNBA’s off-season. She last played for her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for World Cup qualifying tournaments.
Russian officials detained the out Phoenix Mercury center and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on a flight from New York. A criminal case was been opened against Griner, who faces a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
Two weeks ago Griner’s wife issued a statement on Instagram. Cherelle Griner thanked supporters and asked that their privacy be respected as the work continues to bring the Phoenix Mercury basketball star home.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely. Thank you!“
The Phoenix Mercury team said it is “aware of and…closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia.”
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) March 5, 2022
At a joint press conference with Moldova President Maia Sandu, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department had assigned an U.S. Embassy in Moscow team to work on Griner’s case.
“Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we, of course, stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia,” he said. “We have an embassy team that’s working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia.
“We’re doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.”
