The Federal Customs Service of Russia announced on Saturday that a basketball player was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport with e-cigarette cartridges with hash oil found in her luggage. Although the Russians did not initially inform about the identity of the detained person, the TASS agency said that it was a legend of women’s basketball in the USA – Brittney Griner.
Doubts were gone after the Federal Customs Service of Russia released a video from the airport showing Griner, wearing a mask and a black sweatshirt, approaching security control. It was there that the American woman was detained and her luggage was carefully inspected.
The player was detained, and the statement issued by the Russians shows that an investigation has already been initiated in the case. Griner is accused of transporting a large amount of drugs, for which she faces up to 10 years in prison! Importantly, in the United States, it is legal to possess hashish in many states.
American basketball player hostage in Russia?
Griner is one of the best basketball players ever. The 31-year-old is a two-time Olympic champion (2016, 2021) and a two-time world champion (2014, 2018). The Phoenix Mercury player won the WNBA once, and with the Russian UMMC Yekaterinburg, where she plays off-season in the USA, she won the national championship (2016-2019) and four times the Euroleague. The American has been selected seven times for the WNBA star game, and in her career she has also won a lot of individual awards.
Now, however, she is facing a fight for freedom. In recent years, Russians have convicted American citizens for fraudulent, according to the US, crimes. Griner was arrested during the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which was met with strong criticism and reaction from the world, including the United States.
The New York Times reported that Americans fear Griner’s detention could be used in this case. For the release of the player, the Russians can expect an exchange of prisoners or a reduction in sanctions imposed on the country for the invasion of Ukraine.
“We are in constant contact with her family, representatives, the WNBA and the NBA. We love and support Brittney and currently our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health and a safe return home,” we read in the official Phoenix Mercury announcement.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
