Phoenix Mercury heart Brittney Griner was detained by Russian authorities as a result of presence of cannabis oil in her baggage at a Russian airport close to Moscow studies the New York Occasions. A search of her baggage occurred someday in February when she arrived within the nation on a flight from New York per a video launched by Russian customs.
The translated caption from the Telegram submit accompanying the video:
In February 2022, an athlete who flew to Moscow from New York handed by way of the “inexperienced” hall. The service canine of the Sheremetyevo Customs indicated that medication could also be within the carry-on baggage of a US citizen.
After scanning the bag, the customs officers seen vapes. The specialists discovered that the cartridges for them comprise liquid with hash oil.
A prison case was initiated towards a US citizen below paragraph “c” of Half 2 of Artwork. 229.1 of the Felony Code of the Russian Federation – smuggling of narcotic medication in a major quantity. The punishment below this text is imprisonment for a time period of 5 to 10 years.
With regard to the American, a measure of restraint within the type of detention was chosen. Investigations are underway.
Griner has not posted any content material on her Instagram account since Feb. 5. In line with the WNBA, all U.S. gamers besides her have left the nation and the Ukraine amidst the battle between Ukraine and invading Russian forces.
The league’s official assertion: “Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full assist and our most important precedence is her swift and secure return to the USA.”
The Phoenix Mercury, USA Basketball and the WNBA’s participant’s union (WNBPA) additionally issued statements:
Phoenix Mercury:
“We’re conscious of and are carefully monitoring the state of affairs with Brittney Griner in Russia. We stay in fixed contact together with her household, her illustration, the WNBA and NBA. We love and assist Brittney and presently our most important concern is her security, bodily and psychological well being, and her secure return dwelling.”
USA Basketball:
“USA Basketball is conscious of and carefully monitoring the authorized state of affairs dealing with Brittney Griner in Russia. Brittney has all the time dealt with herself with the utmost professionalism throughout her lengthy tenure with USA Basketball and her security and wellbeing are our main issues.”
WNBPA:
“We’re conscious of the state of affairs in Russia regarding one in all our members, Brittney Griner. Our utmost concern is BG’s security and well-being. On behalf of The 144, we ship out love and assist. We effectively proceed to carefully monitor and look ahead to her return to the U.S.”
In the present day, the U.S. State Division up to date its journey advisory to Russia to “Stage 4 – Do Not Journey.”
Don’t journey to Russia on account of the unprovoked and unjustified assault by Russian navy forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment towards U.S. residents by Russian authorities safety officers, the Embassy’s restricted capability to help U.S. residents in Russia, COVID-19 and associated entry restrictions, terrorism, restricted flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of native regulation. U.S. residents ought to depart Russia instantly.
U.S. residents residing or touring in Russia ought to depart instantly. Restricted business flight choices are nonetheless out there. Overland routes by automobile and bus are additionally nonetheless open. In the event you want to depart Russia, you need to make preparations by yourself as quickly as doable. In the event you plan to remain in Russia, perceive the U.S. Embassy has extreme limitations on its capability to help U.S. residents, and circumstances, together with transportation choices, might change all of a sudden. U.S. residents who’re in a position to depart Russia for one more nation and are in want of emergency help upon arrival might contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in that nation.
