Brittney Griner's Russia detention extended until May 19, report says
Griner was arrested last month after officials said luggage search revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner will continue to be held in Russia for at least two more months as an investigation into drug allegations continues, according to a report.
Russian news agency TASS reported Thursday that a petition to extend the detention of the 31-year-old All Star until May 19 was granted by a court in Moscow.
"The court granted the petition of the investigation and extended the term of detention of US citizen Griner until May 19," the report said, citing the court’s decision.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans following Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Many observers have feared the possibility of Russia using Griner as a political pawn.
The Russian Federal Customs Service released a statement earlier this month confirming that an American "two-time Olympic basketball champion" had been taken into custody in February after a narcotics dog at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow alerted the athlete’s luggage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials said at the time that a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. According to the statement, Griner could face up to a decade in prison if she’s convicted.
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Japan's Saori Miyazaki (32), center, is blocked by United States' Brittney Griner (15), second right, during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Russia’s Public Monitoring Commission (POC), told the outlet that a representative from the U.S. consulate has not visited Griner despite "the administration of the pre-trial detention center is ready to create all conditions for his visit," according to a translation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She also claimed Griner has been sharing a cell with two other inmates without previous convictions and had "no complaints about the conditions of detention," other than her bed being too small for her 6-foot-9 frame.
A close up shot of Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury at practice and media availability during the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 11, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Griner, a player on the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, has competed overseas during the league's offseason. She’s played for UMMC Ekaterinburg for about seven years alongside other American women's basketball stars.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The date of her arrest remained unclear.