American basketball star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia

American champion Brittney Griner risks spending 10 years in a Russian prison. 

Superstar of the US women's basketball team Brittney Griner, who plays for the Yekaterinburg UMMC and the Phoenix Mercury, found herself at the center of an international scandal. In February, the titled athlete was arrested at a Moscow airport - she was caught importing banned substances into Russia. A criminal case was opened against Greiner, and now she faces up to 10 years in prison!

At the moment, Brittney is one of the best basketball players on the planet. Last year, the center became a two-time Olympic champion as part of the US team, setting a record for points scored, and was also included in the first symbolic five of the WNBA. In addition, Greiner is a two-time world champion, a WNBA winner and a four-time Euroleague champion as part of the UMMC, for which she has been playing since 2014. But when the American will have a chance to enter the site next time is not clear. View this post on Instagram A post shared by B (@brittneyyevettegriner)

Greiner's arrest became known on March 5. The incident took place at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February. On that day, the athlete was returning to Russia from New York. When the girl was passing through the "green corridor", her luggage attracted the attention of a service dog. After that, customs officers scanned Brittney's suitcase and found two electronic vaporizers filled with a green liquid - it turned out to be cannabis oil.

 

In New York State, hash oil is not a banned substance. Therefore, during the inspection of luggage at the local airport, Greiner did not have any problems. Apparently, Brittney was simply not aware of the consequences that would await her for transporting the substance to Russia. Now the American is facing 5 to 10 years in prison under article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - "smuggling of narcotic substances in a significant amount."

What measure of restraint will be chosen for Greiner, if she cannot justify herself, is still unknown. It is also unknown where she is while the investigation continues. But the main thing is that the environment of the basketball player is aware of what is happening. Brittney's agent said her lawyers are in constant contact with the athlete herself, her family, teams, as well as the WNBA and NBA. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Your Basketball Fix ?? (@yourbasketballfix)

And US Senator Lindsey Graham said that even the State Department is working on the situation. This is not surprising, because in the United States what happened was immediately associated with a difficult political situation. Someone even condemns Brittney for going to play for a Russian club at all, although this is easily explained by the difference in contracts. In the WNBA, she earns about $225 thousand per season, and in the UMMC - $ 1 million. So her decision is certainly not supported by any political motives.

Many, of course, on the contrary, defended Griner - the hashtag #FreeBrittneyGriner is gaining popularity on social networks - “Free Brittney Griner”. In addition, a petition was created for her safe transportation to the United States. Open support for the athlete was expressed by the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury, the US Basketball Federation, a number of American athletes and politicians, and, of course, her wife Cherel. 

What will happen to Greiner now, one can only guess. The situation is extremely difficult, because the American side has also joined in. But it is too early to draw any conclusions - law enforcement agencies will draw them for us. Let's see how things go for Brittney in the future. And will not put an end to what happened on her amazing basketball career.