News March 17, 2022
Brittney Griner's Russian Detention Extended for Two Months

Brittney Griner will remain in Russian custody for an additional two months as she reportedly pleads not guilty to allegedly possessing hash oil following her arrest in February.
As reported by outlets including CNN and Newsweek, Russian state news agency TASS said Thursday that the 31-year-old WNBA star — arrested February 17 — has been ordered to remain in custody until at least May 19.
"The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19," the Russian court said, per the outlets.
That same day, TMZ reported that the Phoenix Mercury athlete has pleaded not guilty to smuggling "narcotic drugs" into Russia — a crime that carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison if she is convicted.
Per video obtained by Russian news site Mash, Griner was seen in a courtroom, with two female officers by her side.
Earlier this month, the Russia Federal Customs Service said in a statement that Griner had flown to Moscow from New York in February when a customs service dog at the Sheremetyevo International Airport indicated that drugs were possibly located inside her carry-on bag.
After customs officers searched the bag, they allegedly found vape cartridges that contained liquid with hash oil.
On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price told press that his agency has been “doing everything we can to support Brittney Griner, to support her family, and to work with them to do everything we can, to see that she is treated appropriately and to seek her release.” However, he could not disclose more details due to privacy considerations.
On March 7, Griner’s wife Cherelle wrote on Instagram that she and their loved ones are “hurting” over Brittney’s legal issues.
“We love you babe! People say, ‘Stay busy.’ Yet, there’s not a task in this world that could keep any of us from worrying about you. My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats everyday that goes by,” Cherelle wrote in an edited post.
“I miss your voice. I miss your presence. You’re our person! There are no words to express this pain. I’m hurting, we’re hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family.”
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In addition to winning two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., Griner is a WNBA championship winner with the Phoenix Mercury and is a seven-time All-Star.
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