Basketball player Brittney Griner is said to be detained in Russia; WNBA, reps working ‘to bring her home’

WNBA player Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia after customs officials said they found hash oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow in February, according to a reported in the New York Times on Saturday.

Russia’s Federal Customs Service on Saturday alleged it searched Griner’s luggage and found vape boxes containing cannabis-derived oil – an offense that carries a maximum penalty of 10. year in prison. While Griner was not named, customs officials identified the detainee as a player for the US women’s team but did not specify the date of detention.

Customs has released video of an individual who appears to be a 6-foot-9 Griner walking through airport security.

“We are aware of Brittney Griner’s situation in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representative in Russia, her family, her teams, the WNBA and the NBA,” said Lindsay Kagawa Colas. , Griner’s representative with the Wasserman Group, told ESPN via statement Saturday. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we cannot comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to bring her home, Her mental and physical health remains our top concern.”

The State Department issued a “do not travel” advice to Russia on January 23, warning Americans against traveling to Russia because of the “potential for harassment against American citizens, the limited ability of embassies in assisting U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and enforcement of local laws arbitrarily.”

Another “do not travel” advice came on Saturday, nine days after Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine.

The US Embassy in Moscow sent out a security alert on February 27 that said, “More and more airlines are canceling flights to and from Russia, and many countries have closed their airspace. for Russian airlines. U.S. citizens should consider leaving Russia immediately through commercial options that are still available.”

Over the past week, WNBA players in Russia have left the country following the invasion of Ukraine. A WNBA spokesman said on Saturday that, aside from Griner, all of the league’s players who were playing in Russia or Ukraine this winter are now out of those countries.

“We are aware of the situation in Russia involving one of our members, Brittney Griner. Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of BG,” the WNBA players’ association said. in a statement to ESPN on Saturday. “On behalf of The 144, we send our love and support. We will continue to closely monitor and look forward to her return to America.”

Like many WNBA players, Griner, 31, has long played abroad in the winter months, most recently in Russia.

“Brittney Griner has the full support of the WNBA and our main priority is her speedy and safe return to the United States,” the federation said in a statement to ESPN.

Griner played nine seasons with Phoenix Mercury, who lost in the WNBA Finals last October to Chicago. She won championships with Mercury in 2014 and gold medals with the United States at the Olympics in 2016 and 2021.

“Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long stint with American Basketball and her safety and health is our primary concern,” USA Basketball said in a statement.

The WNBA’s Mercury said they are “in regular contact” with Griner’s family, her agent, and both the WNBA and the NBA.

Mercury said: “We love and support Brittney.

Longtime women’s basketball representative Mike Count told ESPN on February 27 that players in Russia are urgently working to leave Russia.

“For me, ‘considering’ leaving is a thing of the past,” says Cound. “I’ve been on the phone with two players for the past few minutes looking for flights. It’s really urgent right now because the number of flights leaving Russia is decreasing and they’re unlikely to materialize anytime soon. .”