Russia has released the first picture of woke WNBA star Brittney Griner after she was arrested at a Russian airport last month on drugs charges.
Griner was taken into custody by Russian authorities for having vape cartridges in her luggage, which Russia claims, contained hash oil.
If convicted on the charges, Griner faces ten years in a Russian prison.
The 31-year-old’s mugshot was aired on Russian state TV over the weekend, CNN reported.
The mugshot shows Griner standing against a wall while holding a piece of paper with what looks to be her name written across it.
“There’s only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.
“Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia.
“We have an embassy team that’s working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia.
“We’re doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.”
Congressman John Garamendi said: “Our diplomatic relationships with Russia are nonexistent at the moment.
“Perhaps during the various negotiations that may take place, she might be able to be one of the solutions.
“I don’t know. Russia has some very, very strict LGBT rules and laws.”
Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner said: “People say ‘stay busy.’
“Yet, there’s not a task in this world that could keep any of us from worrying about you.
“My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats every day that goes by.
“There are no words to express this pain. I’m hurting, we’re hurting.
“I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details.
“Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.”
The Russian Federal Customs Service said:
“As a US citizen was passing through the green channel at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arriving from New York, a working dog from the Sheremetyevo customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage.
“The customs inspection of the hand luggage being carried by the US citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with specifically smelling liquid, and an expert determined that the liquid was cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance.”
“The best news we got today was that they know about it and that she’s on the agenda,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, Texas, said.
“We know about Britney Griner, and we know that we have to move on her situation.”
Russian state TV has released a photo of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested on drug charges in the country after Russian officials say cannabis oil was found in her luggage. CNN’s @RosaFlores has the story. pic.twitter.com/SzB9MSSQfY
— CNN (@CNN) March 8, 2022
“@JoeBiden must do more to free Americans held hostage in #Russia and meeting w/the Reed family today in #Texas would be a welcome start,” said @JohnCornyn ahead of @POTUS‘ Fort Worth visit on veterans.@freetrevorreed @freepaulwhelan #BrittanyGriner https://t.co/Q2aT3bub8p
— Todd J. Gillman (@toddgillman) March 8, 2022
