Basketball star Brittney Griner might stay in Russian custody much longer than anybody
thought.
What's her current status, and what is the U.S. government doing to get her back?
Keep watching.
After more than four months of detainment in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner is now
facing a more extensive legal battle.
The Phoenix Mercury star was arrested in February, after Moscow airport authorities found cannabis
vape cartridges in Griner's luggage, per CBS News.
Possession of cannabis, which is illegal in Russia, has Griner facing potentially almost
10 years in prison.
Despite pleas froma Griner's wife Cherelle and American politicians, the athlete has
remained in custody.
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was among those calling for Griner's freedom.
She tweeted an article which explained Griner's arrest and included the message "free Brittney."
Since her arrest, Griner's pre-trial detention has been extended multiple times.
Yahoo explains that the extension grants Russian prosecutors additional time to gather evidence,
but also delays Griner's release.
And while the U.S. has classified Griner as a "wrongfully detained" citizen, her legal
debacle has only gotten worse.
During a preliminary hearing on June 27, a Russian court extended Griner's detention
for a fourth time.
According to the Associated Press, Griner will remain in custody for an additional six
months.
Griner will remain in jail for the duration of her trial, which is set to begin on July
1.
"How does she feel?"
"She's fine.
She's fine.
As she could be."
Griner's legal troubles have been messy from the start.
In May, Russian news outlets reported that the government would release Griner in exchange
for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer currently serving time in the U.S.
A source revealed,
"Currently, talks are underway on exchanging Bout for Griner."
However, Yahoo reported that negotiator Roger Carstens declined to comment on the rumored
deal.
Fans took to social media to voice their support for Griner.
One tweeted,
"Free Brittney this is absolutely ridiculous."
Another wrote,
"This is so horrible.
I feel so bad for her [for real].
This is literally one of the top female athletes in the whole world."
Griner's loved ones are undoubtedly doing everything they can to ensure her safe return
home.
According to MSNBC, Griner's wife Cherelle has repeatedly asked to speak to President
Joe Biden, but he has yet to talk on the phone with her.
Cherelle has also reportedly tried to call her wife through the U.S. Embassy in Russia
11 times, but so far has been unsuccessful.
"We're at, what, 96 days?
And the phone call never came."
"But you have been able to communicate through letters?"
"Sporadically."
In an interview with the Associated Press, Cherelle admitted that she's at her wit's
end.
She said,
"I find it unacceptable and I have zero trust in our government right now.
If I can't trust you to catch a Saturday call outside of business hours, how can I trust
you to actually be negotiating on my wife's behalf to come home?
Because that's a much bigger ask than to catch a Saturday call.”
In response to Cherelle Griner's failed efforts to reach her wife Brittney, the U.S. State
Department issued a statement that said,
"We deeply regret that Brittney Griner was unable to speak with her wife because of a
logistical error."
The Hill reports that White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan insisted that
Brittney's case has the "fullest attention of the president," and that President Joe
Biden is doing all he can to bring her back home.
Sullivan said,
"We are actively working to find a resolution to this case and will continue to do so without
rest until we get Brittney safely home."
Even with those assurances, Brittney's friends, family, and colleagues are calling on the
top U.S. officials to work for her release.
Fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart tweeted on June 27,
"It has been 130 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia.
It is time for her to come home.
@WhiteHouse @potus @vp, we are paying attention and we are counting on you."
Tennis legend Billie Jean King added,
"It's time to take action for Brittney Griner.
A broad coalition of civil and human rights organizations are calling on @WhiteHouse officials
to bring her home swiftly and safely."
When Griner will come home remains to be seen, but it's safe to say that her loved ones won't
stop fighting until she's back on U.S. soil.
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