Russian Court Extends Detention For Brittney Griner

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WNBA star Brittney Griner will remain in detention for at least another 18 days, ABC News reports.

A court in Russia has extended Griner's detention through July 2, according to Russian state media outlet TASS. The Phoenix Mercury star was first detained in February after authorities allegedly found vape cartridges with a cannabis-derived oil in her bag at a Russian airport.

Griner has since spent well over 100 days in Russian custody.

A representative from the Khimki Court of the Moscow Region said Griner's detention was extended for another 18 days at "the request of the investigation."

As tensions rise between the U.S. and Russia amid the invasion of Ukraine, officials have accused the country of using the WNBA player's detention as leverage. In May, the basketball pro was deemed "wrongfully detained" by the U.S. State Department.

Earlier this week, Griner's fellow Mercury teammates and coach met with the State Department to discuss the administration's efforts to bring her home.

After the meeting, Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi said she had "confidence"' that the Biden administration was "working relentlessly" to free Griner.

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