Jailed in Moscow: WNBA’s Brittney Griner’s pretrial detention extended for one month

WNBA player Brittney Griner will be spending more time in a Russian prison after her pretrial detention was extended on Friday.

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Griner is in custody in Moscow after being accused of possessing vape cartridges that had oil that was derived from cannabis in her luggage, The Associated Press reported.

>>Previous coverage: ‘In good condition’: US embassy officials in Moscow meet with WNBA’s Brittney Griner

Griner’s attorney said her detention has been extended by a month.

>>Previous coverage: WNBA star Brittney Griner is ‘wrongfully detained’ in Russia, U.S. officials say

The Biden administration says the 31-year-old is being wrongfully detained. The destination means the U.S. may not wait for her case to go through the Russian court system and could take more aggressive negotiation steps to ensure her release, The Washington Post reported. Officials from both the federal government and the WNBA have been working on Griner’s release, but have made little to no progress.

If convicted, Griner could spend up to 10 years in a Russian prison, the AP reported.

>>Previous coverage: WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia extended, officials say

Griner is a seven-time WNBA All-Star for the Phoenix Mercury, along with winning two Olympic gold medals, the Post reported.

She was in the region to return to the Russian basketball team UMMC Ekaterinburg, for which she plays during the WNBA offseason, the Post reported.

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Through the years SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 04: Center Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears is pressured by Tina Charles #31 and Caroline Doty #5 of the Connecticut Huskies during the Women's Final Four Semifinals at the Alamodome on April 4, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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