Brittney Griner: Russia says it has American WNBA star in custody

Russian customs officials say they have detained an American basketball player at an airport in Moscow, claiming they found drugs in her luggage.

The Russian news agency TASS has identified the athlete as Brittney Griner, 31, a member of the WNBA team the Phoenix Mercury and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

The Russian Federal Customs Service says it detained the basketball player, who it did not name, at Sheremetyevo Alexander S Pushkin International Airport, after allegedly finding vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her bag.

According to the Associated Press, the arrest occurred last month. If convicted of drug smuggling, Ms Griner could face up to 10 years in Russian prison.

The Phoenix Mercury says it is working to get her released.

“We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia,” the team said in a statement. “We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home.”

The WNBA has also issued a similar statement.

“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States,” the organization said.

In addition to playing for the Phoenix Mercury, Ms Griner has spent her winters competing in Russia for the past seven years, most recently for the team UMMC Ekaterinburg. According to AP, in Russia she earns over $1m per season, more than four times her pay in the WNBA.

Ms Griner’s arrest comes at a historically dangerous time, as Russia continues its bloody invasion of Ukraine. The United States and its Western allies have shunned Moscow in the wake of the invasion, leveling a wave of sanctions and public condemnation.

With diplomatic relations between the US and Russia at such a low point, securing Ms Griner’s release could be very difficult. In fact, the US State Department recently warned Americans not to travel to Russia, specifically citing the “harassment” they might face from Russian officials.

“Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist US citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law,” the agency said in a travel advisory. “US citizens should depart Russia immediately.”