U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been under arrest for three weeks.
Seven-time constellation player in two Olympic gold and women’s NBA leagues (WNBA) Brittney Griner31, has been arrested in Russia on drug charges.
According to Russian customs authorities, e-cigarette cartridges containing hashish oil were found in Griner’s luggage in early February.
Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow. He has been in custody for three weeks now and is facing a 5-10 year prison sentence for drug smuggling.
New York Times suspects (switching to another service)that there may be political motives behind the arrest. New York Times editor Jonathan Abrams writes that in recent years Russia has detained and condemned U.S. citizens on grounds that are, according to U.S. authorities, fabricated.
Griner has represented Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA but the 206-cent center striker has been playing for the Yekatenburg team in Russia since the 2014 winter season.