Everything you need to know about WNBA Star, Olympic medalist Brittney Griner, detained in Russia

The two-time Olympic gold medalist, Brittney Griner, was detained on drug-related charges in February when customs officials at the airport found vape cartridges in her luggage. She was found guilty of drug smuggling on August 4 and given a nine-year prison term by a Russian court. Brittney competes for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and Russia's UMMC Ekaterinburg in the off season.





Griner's lawyers claim that she has been transported to a penal colony, the location of which is still unknown, after the Russian court rejected her appeal last month and confirmed the length of her prison sentence. The statement stated that they anticipate Russian officials will inform Griner's legal team and the U.S. embassy of her location, once she arrives at her destination in accordance with "normal Russian protocol."

The White House criticized the verdict as "sham justice" while stating that it is still trying to secure Griner's release through a possible prisoner exchange. In her statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, "As the administration works relentlessly to win her release, the President has asked the administration to persuade her Russian captors to improve her care and the conditions she may be made to suffer in a prison colony."

When Griner was initially held for bringing less than a gram (0.04 oz) of hashish oil into Russia when she traveled earlier this year to participate in the Russian women's professional basketball league, although Griner admitted to having mistakenly packed two vape cartridges but produced paperwork proving that her American doctor had legally prescribed the oil for pain relief.

Officials from the White House have also insisted that Griner's freedom is a top priority for the administration and have repeatedly urged Moscow to accept the deal (Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner) or make a compelling counter offer. Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer widely known as the "Merchant of Death," was captured during a sting operation in Thailand in 2008 and has been in US custody ever since.

FAQ

1. What is the reason for Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia?
Russian authorities said they found vape canisters with illegal cannabis oil in her luggage.

2. What does Brittney Griner's wife do?
Cherelle Griner is a content writer and blogger with massive followers on her Instagram page.