Brittney Griner, the American basketball star detained in Moscow on allegations of drug smuggling, will stay in custody for a minimum of two extra months, Russian media reported Thursday.
“The courtroom granted the request of the investigation and prolonged the interval of detention of the US citizen Griner till Could 19,” a Russian courtroom spokesperson advised the Kremlin-controlled press company TASS.
The outlet Mash additionally reported the information, sharing a video on Telegram displaying Griner, 31, strolling down a hallway with two guards.
An individual near the matter advised BuzzFeed Information Griner was OK and has been assembly repeatedly together with her Russian authorized group whereas in detention. The investigation continues to be ongoing, and a trial date has not been set, the individual mentioned.
If the investigation is not full by Could, whether or not she is going to proceed to be detained pending trial can be reassessed then.
US State Division representatives didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Griner’s brokers declined to remark.
The arrest of the WNBA star and two-time Olympic Gold medalist was first reported on March 5, however Rep. Colin Allred of Texas, a member of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, has mentioned she was arrested on Feb. 17.
She was detained after customs officers allegedly discovered cartridges of cannabis oil in her baggage at an airport outdoors Moscow. She may withstand 10 years in jail.
Griner is a member of the Phoenix Mercury however had been enjoying within the low season for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg group.
TASS quoted Ekaterina Kalugina with Moscow’s Public Monitoring Fee, a bunch that observes jail circumstances, as saying she had met with Griner.
Based on Kalugina, the US consul has not met with Griner; Allred has beforehand mentioned she had not been granted consular entry.
Kalugina mentioned Griner was calm and had been studying books whereas in detention, however had struggled with the dimensions of the beds as a result of she is nearly 7 toes tall.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has mentioned he’s restricted in what he can say publicly about Griner’s case on account of privateness concerns, however that US officers will present “each doable help” to any American detained overseas.
Griner’s spouse, Cherelle, has requested for privateness because the household works to carry her dwelling.
It is believed that officers and Griner’s household are being strategically silent with a view to keep away from making her a high-profile prisoner whom the Russians will need to preserve as a political pawn because the West sanctions the nation over its invasion of Ukraine.
Jason Rezaian, the Washington Submit reporter who was detained in Iran for 18 months, advised CNN he suspected that Griner, like him, was being held on trumped-up prices.
“It is essentially the most audacious hostage-taking by a state conceivable,” Rezaian mentioned.
