[ad_1]
WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner has been arrested in Russia for drug smuggling and faces as much as 10 years in jail. Based on the New York Instances, officers from Russia’s Federal Customs Service arrested Brittney after discovering vape cartridges containing hash oil in her baggage.
Customs mentioned its officers had detained a US participant who had gained two Olympic gold medals, however wouldn’t reveal her identify. Russian intelligence later recognized the participant as 31-year-old Brittney Griner. Safety video seen by the Instances reveals a participant who seems to be a Griner strolling via safety carrying a sweatshirt and face masks, then reveals somebody, believed to be a customs officer, eradicating one thing from her bag. Based on the impartial Russian information company Interfax, the arrest got here in February shortly after Griner arrived at Sheremetyevo Airport from New York.
Brittney, a member of 2014 WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury and the 2016 Olympic gold medal crew, has performed for Russian crew Ekaterinburg within the Euroleague within the WNBA low season since 2015.
Brittney’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas mentioned in an announcement to ESPN, “We’re conscious of the scenario with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in shut contact together with her, her authorized consultant in Russia, her household, her groups and the WNBA and NBA. As that is an ongoing authorized matter, we’re unable to remark additional on the small print of her case, however can affirm that her psychological and bodily well being stays our main concern as we work to carry her dwelling.”
The WBNA additionally launched an announcement saying that Griner “has the total assist of the WBNA and our high precedence is her speedy and secure return to america.”
Many American gamers started planning to go away Russia after the nation’s invasion of Ukraine, and a WNBA spokeswoman mentioned Saturday that every one WNBA gamers besides Griner weren’t in Russia and Ukraine.
Need updates straight to your inbox? Name us at 917-722-8057 or Click on right here to hitch!
[ad_2]
Source link
