Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty
Russian state news agency TASS reported Thursday that Griner, 31, has been ordered to remain in custody for an additional two months followingher February arreston drug charges, according toCNNandNewsweek.
“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19,” the Russian court said, per the outlets.
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Brittney Griner.Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty
Ekaterina Kalugina, who TASS described as a member of the Moscow human rights group Public Monitoring Commission, said she visited Griner at her pre-trial detention center, where she said the American athlete is being held with two other people, per the report.
Kalugina claimed Griner had not complained about her detention conditions and suggested that the U.S. consul has yet to visit the athlete, CNN reported.
Allred, 38, told ESPNlast week that Griner had not been granted consular access, which he said was “really unusual.”
“My office has been in touch with the State Department, and we’re working with them to see what is the best way forward,” said the House Foreign Affairs Committee member. “I know the administration is working hard to try and get access to her and try to be helpful here. But obviously, it’s also happening in the context of really strained relations.”
He later added, “The Russian criminal justice system is very different than ours, very opaque. We don’t have a lot of insight into where she is in that process right now. But she’s been held for three weeks now, and that’s extremely concerning.”
Rep. Sheila Jackson, a fellow Texas Democrat, is also assisting in attempting to bring Griner home. During a March 6 press conference, the 72-year-old politician expressed concern for Griner due to “how dangerous it is right now in Moscow” amidRussia’s invasion of Ukraine, and “in Moscow prisons” in general.
“Please, allow Miss Griner to leave. Allow her legal representation to handle her matters,” Lee said.
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The WNBA is also doing what it can to support Griner’s safe release. Earlier this week, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelberttold PEOPLEthat the league has been coordinating with the Phoenix Mercury, “her agent, authorities, administration, strategist experts … it’s a huge coordination to find the best way to get her home the quickest.”
“Our number-one priority is to get Brittney home safely as quickly as we can,” said Engelbert, 58, at the time.
CNN previously reported that Russian officials say could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for her charges.
source: people.com
