WNBA star and Mercury Phoenix player, Brittney Griner’s alleged mug shot was shared by Russian State media, Russia 24, marking the first time the WNBA star has been seen “publicly” since her detainment in February.
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The 31-year-old was taken into custody last month at an airport near Moscow, after Russian customs officials claim a drug dog alerted to her carry-on luggage, which allegedly contained hashish oil (for a vape).
Griner was pictured standing against a wall while holding a piece of paper with what appeared to be her name scrawled across it.
The photo, which wasn’t dated, was reportedly taken at a Moscow police station after the two-time Olympic champion was detained.
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Russian officials say they’ve launched a drug trafficking investigation, and if convicted, Griner could face a decade behind bars in Russia.
Russia’s state-owned news channel, Russia 24, aired a photo of Griner’s mug shot. State media reported the booking photo was taken at a Russian police station.
The mug shot is significant because Griner has not been seen or heard from publicly in weeks.
The arrest couldn’t come at a worse time for the WNBA superstar. Russia is in the midst of a full-out assault on Ukraine, and the United States and many other countries have sanctioned the Russian government, seriously ratcheting up tensions.
Now, the Russian government has a high-profile American prisoner and could become a pawn or bargaining chip for Putin.
Griner remains detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges for allegedly carrying a vape pen with hash oil as she arrived at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.
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