PHOENIX MERCURY

Mercury C Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia extended

Mar 17, 2022, 7:54 AM | Updated: 4:18 pm
Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury is seen during the game against the Indiana Fever at Ind...
Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury is seen during the game against the Indiana Fever at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on September 4, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia was extended to at least May 19, according to Russian news agency TASS.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for allegedly carrying vape cartridges that contained hashish oil. The decision of extending her detention came after Griner appeared virtually in front of a Russian court on Thursday to contest her arrest on drug charges, per the Wall Street Journal.

The Moscow region court on Thursday found that her subsequent arrest was legal, agreeing with the prosecution that it fell within the allowable 48-hour window after her detention.

The court rejected the argument of her lawyer, Alexander Boykov, that since Ms. Griner had been denied a lawyer and consular representation, her detention began as soon as she was stopped and searched on Feb. 17.

The hearing didn’t examine the substance of the case, and it couldn’t be determined whether Ms. Griner would seek to appeal the decision about whether the arrest was lawful.

Per ESPN’s T.J. Quinn, consular officials have not had access to Griner.

According to Reuters, a member of the Public Monitoring Commission who has access to prisons told TASS that Griner was sharing a prison cell with two other women and had no issues other than “the prison beds were too short for her 6-foot-7 frame.”

The exact date of Griner’s arrest was not previously known.

She has played professionally during the WNBA offseason in Russia for the past seven seasons.

Griner last played on Jan. 29 for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian team, before a scheduled break in early February for FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.

The Mercury have said they are aware and monitoring the arrest.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the government was working on Griner’s case but gave little details after the center’s arrest became known to the public earlier in March.

“There’s only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point. Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia,” Blinken said. “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.”

Phoenix Mercury

Destiny Slocum #24 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass around Bria Hartley #14 of the Phoenix Mercu...
Wills Rice

Mercury add guards Slocum, Sutton to training camp contracts

The Phoenix Mercury announced Thursday the team has signed guards Destiny Slocum and Sug Sutton to training camp contracts.
15 days ago
Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Desert ...
Arizona Sports

ESPN to televise Brittney Griner’s 1st games back on court with Mercury

Brittney Griner's return to basketball for the Phoenix Mercury will be aired on national TV, the team announced on Wednesday. 
17 days ago
Guard Shey Peddy #11 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Mercury re-sign guard Shey Peddy

The Phoenix Mercury announced on Sunday morning they have re-signed guard Shey Peddy, the latest returnee coming back to Phoenix in free agency.
27 days ago
From left to right: Jerry Colangelo, Dan Bickley, Michael Bidwill and Vince Marotta on Tuesday, Feb...
Kevin Zimmerman

The Cardinals bring fresh voices and more Newsmaker Week 2023 highlights

Bickley & Marotta welcomed 25 guests representing Arizona's teams and events to their show on Tuesday through Friday. So what did we learn?
29 days ago
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) shoots over Seattle Storm's Mercedes Russell in the first ha...
Arizona Sports

Mercury’s Brittney Griner works out in front of media Thursday

For the first time since her release from Russian custody, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was playing basketball in front of cameras.
29 days ago
Phoenix Mercury GM Jim Pitman in the Arizona Sports studio on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jeremy Sch...
Kevin Zimmerman

GM: Mercury prepared for heavy media coverage this upcoming season

A still image of Brittney Griner back on the Mercury's practice court Wednesday drew nearly 1 million views on Twitter alone.
1 month ago
Mercury C Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia extended