FEARS are rising that Vladimir Putin will use WNBA star Brittney Griner as a “high profile hostage” after her arrest in Moscow.
Griner, 31, was detained final month after the Russian Federal Customs Service allegedly discovered vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her baggage on the Sheremetyevo airport.
The seven-time WNBA All-Star middle for the Phoenix Mercury and twice Olympic gold medallist with the US had flown in to play for her Russian basketball workforce in the course of the WNBA low season.
There are fears Russia will use Griner as leverage with US-Russian relations deteriorating quickly because of the Ukraine invasion by Putin’s troops.
Griner faces as much as 10 years in jail, if discovered responsible of the drug smuggling prices.
“If we want her out of jail, Russia is going to have some terms,” Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia and Ukraine Evelyn Farkas advised Yahoo Sports. “It could be a prisoner swap. They also could use it as an implicit threat or blackmail to get us to do something or not do something. Either way, they find it useful.”
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Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas stated in a press release: “We are conscious of the scenario with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in shut contact together with her, her authorized illustration in Russia, her household, her groups, and the WNBA and NBA.
“As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”
Griner’s spouse, Cherelle, took to social media Saturday to thank folks for his or her prayers and good needs.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia,” she wrote alongside a photograph of her and Brittney.
“Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely. Thank you!”
Politicians in Griner’s house state of Texas have additionally referred to as for her launch.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee stated Saturday she has spoken with the State Department to get the WNBA star launched.
“We know that there were some issues dealing with vape cartridges and other items but let me be very clear,” Lee, who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, stated. “Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia… and I will be demanding her release.”
Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro stated he would monitor the scenario and stated Griner should be safely returned.
“I’m closely monitoring reports of Texan Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia. This follows a pattern of Russia wrongly detaining & imprisoning US citizens, including Trevor Reed. US citizens are not political pawns. Brittney, Trevor, and other Americans must be safely returned,” he tweeted on Saturday.
A video was additionally launched by the Customs Service which confirmed a traveller on the airport that appeared to appear like Griner and was sporting a masks and black sweatshirt, going by safety.
The footage was later shared on Telegram with the individual placing her belongings by a scanner, with officers placing gadgets in a plastic proof envelope and sealing it shut as she regarded on.
“The customs inspection of hand luggage carried by a US citizen confirmed the presence of ‘vapes’ with a liquid with a specific smell, and an expert found that the liquid is a narcotic cannabis oil (hash oil),” in response to the Russian customs service.
The State Department advised The US Sun it was conscious of the reviews of a US individual being arrested in Moscow.
A WNBA spokesperson stated in a press release: “Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States.”
USA Basketball stated in a press release on Twitter: “USA Basketball is aware of and closely monitoring the legal situation facing Brittney Griner in Russia. Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns.”
The information comes as tensions escalate between the US and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
Various WNBA gamers compete in Russia, the place they will earn profitable salaries, in the course of the league’s low season within the US.
Griner has performed for the Russian workforce UMMC Ekaterinburg for a number of years.
Some American gamers started planning to go away Russia following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The few WNBA players who were competing this off-season in Ukraine are no longer in the country,” the WNBA advised ESPN in a press release this week. “The league has also been in contact with WNBA players who are in Russia, either directly or through their agents. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
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