American Basketball Player Brittney Griner Faces Unimaginable Situation, Arrested By Moscow Authorities Amid Russian-Ukrainian War

Brittney Yevette Griner (Instagram @brittneyyevettegriner)

JAKARTA - Since February, Brittney Yevette Griner, an American basketball player who currently plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg, has been detained in Moscow, Russia. The reason is, when Griner passed the airport security checkpoint, officers found a small container containing marijuana oil in her suitcase.

As a result, the 31-year-old was handed over to the Russian authorities pending an investigation. However, everything was delayed by Russia's war with Ukraine, where the United States has shown its opposition.

Under this approach, girls from Houston, Texas, are only allowed to make contact with US government representatives twice a week and receive letters from officials and family members who follow the course of her legal situation remotely.

Recently, Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, mentioned that all relevant steps are being taken to repatriate the player who is considered the best professional basketball player of recent years in the United States.

"She continues to have our full support. Of course, we are trying everything we can, all angles, working with her legal representatives, her agents, the elected leaders, the administration. Everyone in our ecosystem is trying to find a way to get him home safely and as quickly as we can. I can," she said, quoted from Marca, Wednesday, April 13.

In this regard, he assured that recommendations have been given to all players in the league to be measured by a statement so as not to affect Brittney's legal process.

"I know we are all frustrated, but we have to be patient. The players were amazing at following the advice they got and the ones we got so we didn't jeopardize their safety in any way," she said.

Brittney Griner's next trial will take place next May and that is where her future can be determined.