News March 23, 2022
Brittney Griner in ‘Good Condition’ Amid Russian Detainment

Brittney Griner is reportedly in “good condition” amid her Russian detainment for allegedly bringing hash oil into the country last month.
On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price appeared on CNN and said an official from the U.S. embassy was able to see the WNBA star "within the past couple hours."
"There's only so much I can say but what I can say is that our official found Brittney Griner to be in good condition,” Price said. “And we will continue to do everything we can to see to it that she is treated fairly throughout this ordeal."
He adds that Russia is now allowing the U.S. to provide consular access to Griner, who was arrested on February 17 and later charged with smuggling "narcotic drugs" into the country — a crime that carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison if she is convicted.
Price said the U.S. government will "work very closely with her legal team, with her broader network, to see to it that she is treated fairly."
"That is a message that we will continue to convey in no uncertain terms to the Russian Federation," he continued.
Last week at a Russian courtroom, TMZ reported that Griner pleaded not guilty to her crimes and requested to be released on house arrest.
However, the court denied the request and extended her detainment to at least May 19 to allow time for the investigation.
If Russian investigators need more time beyond this date, they will request an extension.
TMZ adds that once the investigation is complete, a trial date will be set.
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.
Per TMZ, Griner has been sharing a cell with two other women who have no prior convictions. Additionally, they report that the athlete was issued a bed too short for her 6'7" frame.
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