Brittney Griner Trends After It’s Announced That Russia Recently Released A US Marine Veteran As She Remains In Custody

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner Trends After It’s Announced That Russia Recently Released A US Marine Veteran As She Remains In Custody

Fans and loved ones of Brittney Griner are looking for answers as to why she remains in Russian custody.

As previously reported, on February 17 WNBA star Brittney Griner, 31, was detained at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities claimed they found vape cartridges while searching her luggage. Reportedly, the cartridges contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Last month (March 17) news broke that a Moscow court ruled to extend Brittney Griner’s arrest until May 19. According to the Russian state news agency Tass, the court said,

“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19.”

Brittney Griner

Supporters of Griner have been rallying for her release since she was initially arrested, and after a US Marine veteran was recently released from Russian authorities, they are now demanding an update on her case.

According to reports, Russia and the United States have carried out an unexpected prisoner exchange, trading US Marine veteran Trevor Reed, 30, for a convicted Russian drug trafficker, who was serving a long prison sentence in America. Reportedly, in 2020, Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison for endangering the “life and health” of Russian police officers in an altercation. However, Reed and his family have denied the charges against him. After being imprisoned for nearly three years, it was announced on Wednesday (April 27) that Reed will soon be back home with his family.

 

Following the announcement, many took to Twitter to call for Griner’s release as well.

Reed was one of several Americans known to be held by Russia, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, who is being held on espionage-related charges his family denies. Hopefully, Griner will be home soon! On March 22, it was reported that she received official government access for the first time since being detained.

Brittney Griner & Wife Cherelle Griner

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Tell us below!

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Authored by: Twila-Amoure McDaniel