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Commenting on the detention in Russia of WNBA star and two-time Olympian Britney Greener, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Sunday that the United States will provide assistance to any citizen detained on foreign soil.
Blinken said, according to ESPN:
“There is so much I can say given the privacy concerns at the moment. Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we are, of course, ready to provide any possible assistance, including in Russia.
“We have an embassy team that deals with the cases of other Americans detained in Russia. We are doing everything we can to ensure that their rights are upheld and enforced.”
Jonathan Abrams of The New York Times reported on Saturday that Griner was detained by Russia’s Federal Customs Service at a Moscow airport in February after officials said they found e-cigarette cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
The Phoenix Mercury Center is still under the jurisdiction of the Federal Customs Service of Russia. Mercury has released statement Saturday says the team is aware of the situation and that their main task is to get Griner home safely:
“We are aware of and closely monitoring the situation with Britney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and the NBA. We love and support Britney and our primary concern at this time is her safety, physical and mental health and her safe return home.”
Griner’s wife, Cherell Griner, also posted on Instagram thanking supporters and asking for privacy as they continue to work on bringing the WNBA veteran home:
“Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the safe return of my wife from Russia. We greatly appreciate your prayers and support. I love my wife with all my heart, so this message comes at one of the weakest moments in my life. I understand that many of you have come to love BG over the years and have concerns and need more details. Please respect our privacy as we continue to work towards my wife’s safe return home.”
Griner, like many WNBA players, plays in overseas leagues during the WNBA offseason. She last played for the Russian UMMC in Yekaterinburg in January, and in February the Russian Women’s Basketball Premier League took a two-week break for the FIBA World Championship qualifying tournament.
The league resumed play on February 23.
Griner’s detention came amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions between the Russian government, the United States and a number of other countries.
The Mercury selected Greener with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Since then, she has played a major role in the team, winning seven All-Star games in nine seasons. Baylor’s product is averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 56.0% shooting from the floor and 35.3% from depth in 254 games.
The WNBA season is set to begin in May, with the Mercury opening the season against the Las Vegas Aces on May 6.