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The Olympic gold medalist’s detainment continues after she was arrested on drug expenses — however she was now granted consular entry by the US. Discover out all about Brittney Griner right here.
Replace (3/23/22 11:45 p.m. EST): Brittney Griner is now accessible to U.S. State Division Officers. It was confirmed {that a} U.S. Embassy official was permitted a go to as she stays detained in Moscow, with a spokesperson saying she seems “to be in good situation” per the New York Times. The official who was granted consular entry was not recognized.
Replace (3/17/22 10:55 a.m. EST): WNBA participant Brittney Griner, 31, can be held in Russia till Could 19 after her arrest for drug expenses for allegedly having marijuana vape cartridges containing hash oil, through ESPN. Russian information outlet TASS reported {that a} Moscow courtroom had determined to increase her detention for at the very least two extra months. Brittney might resist 10 years in jail for the fees, in keeping with NBC News.
Unique: WNBA celebrity Brittney Griner has reportedly been detained in Russia on drug expenses. The 2-time Olympic gold medalist, 31, was arrested on the Sheremetyevo airport close to Moscow after Russian customized officers discovered marijuana vape cartridges in her baggage, in keeping with the New York Times. A press release launched by the Customs Service says a prison case has been opened into the “large-scale transportation of medication,” which may end up in a sentence of 5-10 years in jail if a conviction is upheld.
Though the Customs Service didn’t launch a reputation, the Russian information service TASS recognized the suspect as Griner. A safety video seen by the Instances additionally exhibits an individual carrying a sweatshirt and a face masks that seems to be Griner. The arrest occurred in February when Griner arrived at Sheremetyevo airport from New York, per Russia’s Interfax news agency.
In a press release given to HollywoodLife, the W.N.B.A. mentioned, “Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full assist and our fundamental precedence is her swift and protected return to the USA.”
Griner’s W.N.B.A. crew, the Phoenix Mercury, additionally launched a press release, saying, “We’re conscious of and are intently monitoring the scenario with Brittney Griner in Russia. We stay in fixed contact together with her household, her illustration, the W.N.B.A. and N.B.A. We love and assist Brittney and presently our fundamental concern is her security, bodily and psychological well being, and her protected return house.”
HollywoodLife has reached out to Griner’s reps for remark as effectively.
Griner’s detainment comes amid rising tensions between Russia and the USA after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an unprovoked assault on Ukraine, the place a whole lot of casualties have now been reported. The basketball star’s arrest could possibly be interpreted as Russia trying to “create leverage for a possible prisoner alternate with the American authorities or a discount in sanctions associated to the invasion,” per the Instances.
Maintain studying to search out out all about Griner, beneath.
Brittney Was A Faculty Phenom
Griner is the one NCAA basketball participant to attain 2,000 factors and block 500 pictures when she performed for Baylor College in Waco Texas. She was additionally named the AP Participant of the Yr and the Most Excellent Participant of the Closing 4.
She Is A Basketball Professional Legend
Griner has been voted an All-Star a complete of seven instances enjoying as a middle for the Phoenix Mercury. She gained Olympic gold medals with the U.S. girls’s nationwide basketball crew in each 2020 and 2016.
Brittney Performs For A Russian Workforce In Offseason
Griner performed throughout the W.N.B.A. low season for the Russian crew Ekaterinburg within the Euroleague since 2015, the place salaries are increased for WNBA gamers. On Saturday, a W.N.B.A. spokeswoman mentioned all W.N.B.A. gamers in addition to Griner have been out of Russia and Ukraine.
She Was Bullied As A Little one For Her Sexuality
Griner got here out publicly as a lesbian in an interview with Sports Illustrated on February 11, 2013. “It actually wasn’t too tough, I wouldn’t say I used to be hiding or something like that,” she defined. “I’ve all the time been open about who I’m and my sexuality. If I can present that I’m out and I’m high quality and every little thing’s OK, then hopefully the youthful technology will certainly really feel the identical means.” She additionally revealed she was bullied as a toddler, saying, “It’s laborious. Simply being picked on for being totally different. Simply being larger, my sexuality, every little thing.”
Brittney Cut up From Her Pregnant Spouse
On Could 8, 2015, Griner married longtime girlfriend and fellow W.N.B.A. participant Glory Johnson. Griner left Johnson 28 days after they have been married, and shortly after Johnson revealed she was pregnant with IVF twins. The couple’s divorce was finalized in June 2016.