WNBA star Griner's Russia detention extended for third time

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

WNBA star Griner’s Russia detention extended for third time

June 14, 2022

MOSCOW (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner will remain in Russian custody through at least July 2, Russian state-run news agency Tass reported Tuesday.

The 31-year-old American basketball player has been held in Russia since February when she was detained at a Moscow airport after authorities there claimed she was carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. The U.S. Department of State last month reclassified her as wrongfully detained.

The Khimki district court of the Moscow region extended Griner’s detention for a third time, according to the Tass report, which also cited a top Russian diplomat as saying that Moscow will not consider including Griner in a detainee swap “until a court investigation into her case is completed.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, according to Tass, was responding to US media reports that the Biden administration had offered to exchange convicted arms trader Viktor Bout for Griner. Ryabkov gave no timeline for the proceedings in the player’s case.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/britney-griner-russia-detention-extended-0763f2ede0dc585099a990da5da38cba

[hlthe2b]

1. I wonder how she is being treated ...

I don't like to blame the victim and I will try not to here, but I'm still angry that she wasn't (?) warned about this travel--especially being gay and the well-known attitudes Russia has had toward LGBTQ (yes, I agree that the US may not be that far behind, but at least for now, the hateful Florida and Texas attitudes are not global). Had all forgotten about Pussy Riot and their saga? She could not have been detained at a worse time, obviously. I can only hope that Russia finds sufficient propaganda value in releasing her soon.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

2. She played in Russia during the off-season

A lot of WNBA players do, apparently. It wasn't a vacation - she was on her way to her job. If she really tried to bring vape cartridges in, she's dumb, but that seems like something easy to plant during customs inspection.

[hlthe2b]

4. Lots of people travel to/work in risky areas of the world. I did (the latter) but I also did not

have an issue that put me at special risk and nor was I a very public person for whom those factors would be well known. The WNBA should have warned her. Ditto on anything that could be perceived as drugs. And, yes... She should have informed herself. If she did and chose to take the risk, then that's one thing.

[hlthe2b]

5. I am well aware it wasn't a vacation. Lots of WNBA players are not traveling/working

in a near-dictatorial country where homophobia puts them at risk and where public targeting has been well-publicized, including but not limited to the whole Pussy Riot saga... Yes, of course, she could have informed herself and decided to take the risk anyway, but I tend to suspect she'd get a pass as a public figure from the US. Sadly, she has not.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. Lots of them are, though. Dozens play in Russia. She's been playing in Russia for years, making good

money and having a blast.

[hlthe2b]

7. Not while making their private live as public as she has that puts a target on her.

I'm not talking about ALL WNBA players. She was very public about something that puts a target on her back while in Russia. I'm worried for her for that reason. She should have been warned. If she was and has accepted that risk, then fine. I hope she is safely returned soon.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

8. Do you think she's the only AA Lesbian in the WNBA?

How is she any different than other WNBA players who winter in Russia because they can’t make as much money here?

[hlthe2b]

11. Just stop it. You want an argument and I've given you no reason to start one.

I'm not playing.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

12. You're the one blaming the victim

[hlthe2b]

13. Anyone who read my posts and took time to comprehend knows better.

You are the one provoking an argument for no reason. You had a bad day, I guess. Go hit the trashcans, but I will not be your punching bag nor your false foil.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. I mean, it's not a secret she's Black, gay and GNC. And for the years she's been playing in Russia,

that hasn't been an issue. She couldn't have not known the usual risks; she faces similar risks in this country. What no one could have foreseen was that she or anyone would become a pawn in the war with Ukraine.

[hlthe2b]

10. All which I've acknowledged throughout all my posts on this thread.

[PoliticAverse]

14. People meet with her regularly...

Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Russia’s Public Monitoring Commission, told the Russian state news agency Tass that Griner is being held with two inmates who “had no previous convictions and are charged with drug-related articles.”

[hlthe2b]

15. That is good. thanks for that.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Pooty Poop needs a hostage

[Wonder Why]

16. One thing that confuses me

I have found nothing (I am sure I missed it) stating whether she did or did not carry cannabis in vaping devices into the country. Has she said anything to that effect? Has she admitted to the Russian authorities that she did?

One thing a lot of people forget when visiting foreign countries is to consider their laws BEFORE going there. Doesn't matter if it is someone from Canada going to Europe or someone from Europe visiting the U.S. or a U.S. resident visiting Mexico. Every country has different laws and you have to understand what you are allowed to do and what you are not. Just because you are an American does not mean the Chinese government will allow you to talk about Tienanmen Square when there or dress as you might on an American beach while on one in Iran. You have a choice as to whether to go in spite of their laws and violate them or to go elsewhere instead.

That's why I ask the question. Trump's Master may be just taking advantage of the situation Ms Griner put herself in or she was set up by them falsely claiming or even planting the "evidence".

Can anyone cite a trustworthy site that tells us whether she made a mistake or they just did her in? In the first case, she is entitled to have the government see she is treated fairly, honestly and without pressure and gets a fair trial and a fair treatment if found guilty. If set up, she is entitled to the full weight of the government to the protection from a foreign dictatorship known for its war crimes and false punishments.