Concern about the situation of the American basketball figure Brittney Griner who is detained in Russia

The American star of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) Brittney Grinerwhat she was arrested last month at Sheremetyevo airport after Russian authorities reported finding cartridges for electronic cigarettes with cannabis-derived oil in your luggage, will continue under this condition until May.

This was reported by the Russian state news agency TASSaccording to statement issued by the Khimki Court located in the northwestern region of Moscow.

“The court granted the request for investigation and extended the term of detention of the American citizen until May 19”, detailed TASS to the media after the information from the court.

The Russian Customs Service arrested the 31-year-old player for this crime, which could carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison. According to Russian media investigations, basketball player Lindsay Kagawa’s agent would not have refuted the corresponding information.

“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and we maintain close communication with herhis legal representation in Russia, his family, his teams, the WNBA and the NBA,” Kagawa Colas said on Saturday.

“Since this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to comment further on the details of your caseBut we can confirm that as we work to get her back home, our primary concern will continue to be her mental and physical health.”

Almost two weeks after his arrest, Ekaterina Kalugaa member of the Moscow Public Monitoring Commission, spoke with the media in question and commented that the athlete issharing a cell with two inmates who were arrested for drug-related charges. “They helped her order books and a Rolling Stones biography,” Kalugina said.

This arrest occurred in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which fully affects the relationship with the United States. On Saturday, March 5, the State Department had issued a notice that Americans will avoid traveling to Russia and the unit had urged all American citizens in Russia to leave immediately.

At the same time they stressed that there “the potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials”and acknowledged that the embassy has “limited ability” to help Americans in Russia.

Griner has served in Russia for the past seven years in the winter, during the WNBA offseason, to earning more than $1 million per season (more than four times his WNBA salary). She also last played for her Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg on January 29, before the league decreed a two-week break in early February for the FIBA ​​World Cup qualifying tournaments.

More than a dozen WNBA players were active in Russia and Ukraine during the European winterincluding Jonquel Jones, the Most Valuable Player, as well as Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley, from the champion Chicago Sky.

The WNBA confirmed Saturday that all the players on that circuit, except Griner, had already left Russia and the Ukraine. “Brittney Griner has the full support of the WNBA, and our priority is her safe and prompt return to the United States,” the league said in a statement.

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