Brittany Griner of the Phoenix Mercury was arrested in Russia last month after allegedly being found with a vaping cartridge.
The New York Post, citing Russian news sources, said Griner was reportedly arrested in February after officers found "vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage at Moscow airport". Those cartridges reportedly contained cannabis oil, those reports said.
Video from the Russian Federal Customs Service purportedly shows Griner searching her bag at an airport in Russia. Mahariyanews has confirmed the video.
Here’s video from the Russian Federal Customs Service that shows Griner at the airport in Russia.https://t.co/Or8Blqbko5 pic.twitter.com/3nIK7uJLzR
— Patrick Hayes (@ABC15Patrick) March 5, 2022
In Phoenix, sports fans told MahriyaNews that they were concerned about Griner's safety.
Quentin Lewis said a possible 10-year sentence seemed overboard.
“Are they using him as a pawn for what is happening in the global war,” he asked rhetorically. "What is really going on?"
Lewis' wife, Rebecca, expressed similar concerns. He said he expected the White House to intervene.
"And I say be defensive as the administration because Brittany is on the court and win," she said.
A report in The New York Times stated that Griner was taken into custody during the investigation and that "a criminal case has been opened in the mass transportation of drugs, which in Russia has been punished by up to 10 years behind bars." can take."
A local attorney, Benjamin Taylor, told ABC15 that it is illegal to travel through airports with cannabis in the United States.
"If you're at the airport and you have illegal drugs of any kind, you can be charged with possession. You can be charged with smuggling drugs or transporting drugs across the state line," Taylor he said.
However, according to Taylor, he would have received some leniency if the crime had taken place in Arizona.
“Even if it is federally illegal, the prosecutor who is prosecuting you may give you a plea deal or even dismiss the case because state laws make it legal. versus federal laws making it illegal," he said.
Griner's arrest came as Russia continued to attack Ukraine.
A professor at Arizona State University's School of Politics and Global Studies told ABC15 that bringing back the gear can be difficult.
"Obviously this is very worrying," said Dr. Vector Peskin and ASU professor and senior research fellow at UC Berkeley Human Rights.
“Certainly now, we are in the most recent of US-Russian relations as some call the Cuban Missile Crisis,” he said.
Statement regarding Griner's arrest
The US State Department says it is "aware of reports of a US citizen arrested in Moscow" and "(stands) ready to provide all appropriate consular services." Meanwhile, the State Department issued a travel advisory on Saturday, saying "US citizens living in or traveling to Russia should depart immediately."
Russia: Do not travel due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. U.S. citizens should depart immediately. https://t.co/TzWd169sYs pic.twitter.com/BOh4XDlX3B
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 5, 2022
It was not immediately clear whether Griner was still in Russian custody and no information was available about his current whereabouts. Mercury says his main concern is "his safe homecoming".
The Phoenix Mercury says they’re aware of the Brittney Griner situation in Russia. https://t.co/Or8Blqbko5 pic.twitter.com/LV2kApSJa8
— Patrick Hayes (@ABC15Patrick) March 5, 2022
"We are aware of the situation in Russia with Brittany Griner and are monitoring closely. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and the NBA," Mercury said in a statement on Saturday morning. "We love and support Britney and our main concerns at this time are her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home."
Likewise, the WNBA says, "Brittany Griner has the full support of the WNBA and our main priority is her speedy and safe return to the United States."
Griner is listed on the player roster for the basketball team UMMC Ekaterinburg in the women's Euroleague. The New York Post says Griner has been playing with the team for several years during the WNBA off-season.
Griner's agent Lindsay Kagawa Kolas said: "We are aware of the situation in Russia with Brittany Griner and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams and the WNBA and NBA. Since this is an ongoing As a legal matter, we are not able to 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 primary concern.
"At a loss for words, but I know it will work on its own," Mercury teammate Brianna Turner tweeted Saturday.
At a loss for words, but I know it will work itself out 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/woWC90T7Ji
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) March 5, 2022
Brittany's wife Cherrell Griner posted on Instagram Saturday: "Thank you to everyone who reached out to me regarding my wife's safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I would like to thank my wife." I love you wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. I understand that many of you have loved BG for years and have concerns and want details. PLEASE OUR PRIVACY Respect me as we continue to work to get my wife home safely."