- According to Russian customs officers, an American basketball player was found to be travelling with vape cartridges containing hash oil. It was reported by a Russian news outlet that the player was Griner.
- There is now a U.S. citizen embroiled in a potentially deadly conflict over Ukraine when the Russians said they had kidnapped an American basketball star, subsequently identified as Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner.
- According to the Russian Federal Customs Service, Griner was held at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport when officers discovered vape cartridges with hashish oil in her baggage. The service also released footage showing a tourist who seemed to be Griner walking through airport security.
- A law enforcement source recognised the athlete as Griner, a seven-time W.N.B.A. All-Star centre for the Mercury, according to Tass, which cites the Customs Service.
- Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s representative, did not deny allegations of her client’s incarceration in a statement. As far as Brittney Griner’s status in Russia is concerned, she stated, “We are in constant touch with her, her legal counsel in Russia, her family, her teams and the W.N.B.A. and N.B,” she said.
- During the most perilous period in U.S.-Russian relations since the Cuban missile crisis, Vice President Joe Biden’s administration is leading a global effort to impose crushing sanctions on Russia’s economic and political leaders. Rusian President Vladimir Putin claimed the penalties were “equivalent to a declaration of war” on his country on Saturday.
- After weeks of warning Americans not to travel to Russia, the State Department on Saturday issued an updated travel advisory urging them to leave immediately, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the “potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials,” and limited capacity of the US embassy in Moscow to assist American citizens in the country.
- An ex-ambassador in Moscow remarked, “Obviously, I do not know the circumstances of her incarceration, but Griner’s arrest should serve as a wake-up warning to all Americans in Russia.” Michael A. “Get out of here,” he tells them. Now is the time to close up shop.”
- Footage of a person going through security was followed by footage of someone studying a box that looked to be from the tourist’s luggage. Since Griner, 31, was screened at the airport in February, the Customs Service believes he has been detained for at least a few days.
- Russia’s Customs Service has initiated a criminal investigation into the shipment of significant quantities of narcotics, which may result in a penalty of up to ten years in jail. Cannabis oil with a high concentration of the psychoactive compound THC is known as hashish oil or hash. It may be ingested in a variety of ways, although cartridges for vape pens are the most prevalent form of distribution.
- The episode occurs at a time when Russia is experiencing unprecedented levels of internal persecution under Putin, who is cracking down on opposition at a level not seen since the Soviet Communist Party era.
- United States authorities have often accused Russia of falsely imprisoning and sentenced American citizens. In the political and economic stalemate with Washington over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arresting a high-profile American citizen might be an attempt to increase Russian influence.
- Officially, an American official simply confirmed that the United States was aware of Griner’s detention and provided consular assistance to any Americans detained abroad.
- Additionally, on Saturday, the State Department revealed that the United States had authorised a Russian government charter jet to land in the Washington region in order to bring back Russian diplomats expelled from the United States on suspicion of spying this week.
- According to Griner’s publicist, “At this time, we are unable to discuss the facts of her situation but can confirm that while we seek to bring her home, the emotional and physical wellbeing of her remain our major concern,” Colas said in a statement.
- “The W.N.B.A.’s complete support and our major goal is her fast and safe return to the United States,” the W.N.B.A. said in a statement.
- Russia may have targeted Griner because she is an American, but one member of Congress painted her case that way on Saturday, even though it isn’t clear if that’s the case.
- Lawmaker Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas tweeted: “This continues a history of Russia wrongfully kidnapping and imprisoning US citizens, including Trevor Reed.” “The people of the United States are not political puppets. There must be a safe return for Brittney, Trevor, and other American citizens”
- For the crimes of assaulting and threatening the lives of two Russian police officers that Reed’s family and supporters allege are false and politically motivated, a court in Moscow sentenced him to nine years in jail in 2020.
- When Paul Whelan was convicted of espionage earlier this year, the trial was closed to the public, and he received a 16-year term.
- Players’ unions for the National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Association, as well as the U.S. Olympic Committee, all issued comments in support of Griner.
- In the off-season, a large number of W.N.B.A. players go to Russia in order to earn more money. Russian squad UMMC Ekaterinburg has had Griner for numerous years.
- According to Her Hoop Stats, Griner will make around $228,000 with the Mercury in 2022, just short of the league’s maximum pay. UMMC Ekaterinburg paid Diana Taurasi, a Mercury teammate of Griner’s, $1.5 million in 2015, more than any other Russian club.
- It was reported on Saturday that all of the WNB players except for Bryn Forbes were out of Russia and the Ukraine, and that includes WNB star Mike Muscala.
- Houstonian Griner, a three-time all-american at Baylor, was a revolutionary force in collegiate basketball throughout her illustrious career.
Only a small number of female collegiate basketball players have ever dunk before Griner. At Baylor, where she led the Lady Bears to the 2012 national
