A source has described basketball star Brittney Griner as doing “ok” as she remains in custody in Moscow on drug charges.
On Feb. 17, WNBA player Britney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport. Russia’s Customs Service has since opened a criminal case over alleged “large-scale transportation of drugs.” Griner was allegedly found with hashish oil cartridges in her suitcase. Her arrest has triggered an outcry from the States, particularly from the WNBA, Team USA and Phoenix.
Officials from the U.S. Department say they haven’t had any access to Griner since she was arrested. On Thursday, an official from the State Department sent a statement to ESPN saying, “We insist the Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is.”
ABC reports that Griner’s case has seemingly been being dealt with on the low as not to bring major attention to it in the event that Russia potentially tries to make her a political asset as the country continues to invade Ukraine. Griner’s Russian lawyers have acted as a source and messenger on her wellbeing.
“I wouldn’t say she’s ‘good,’ but she’s OK,” said the source. A defendant could be held for up to 12 months under Russian law. And up to 18 months if the crime meets that level of severity. Griner could serve up to 10 years in jail if convicted of the crime in Russia.
