Mar 17, 2022 - Sports

Report: Russian court extends Brittney Griner's detention until May

Erin Doherty

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the game against the Chicago Sky during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 at Footprint in Phoenix, Arizona. — Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury during Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

A Moscow court is extending WNBA star Brittney Griner's arrest until May 19, Russian state news agency TASS reports, per CNN.

Driving the news: "The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19," the court said, per TASS.

State of play: Agents detained Griner after allegedly finding cannabis oil in her luggage and accused the WNBA star of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance, according to CNN.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) told CNN that Griner was arrested on Feb. 17.
Allred earlier this month said that Griner had not been granted consular access.

The big picture: Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday called for Griner's release, writing on Twitter, "Free Brittney."

Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, wrote on Instagram: "My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats everyday that goes by. I miss your voice. I miss your presence."
"I’m hurting, we’re hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family."

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Report: Russian court extends Brittney Griner's detention until May

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