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U.S. official meets with WNBA star Brittney Griner for first time since her arrest in Russia

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

A State Department spokesman said a U.S. embassy official met with WNBA center Brittney Griner who is being held in a Russian jail on a drug charge.

State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN Griner is in “good condition.”

Price said that officials wanted to make sure Griner is “treated fairly” as her case winds through the Russian legal system.

Griner, 31, was arrested on February 17 at a Moscow airport after a search of her luggage turned up vape cartridges containing weed oil.

A judge recently extended Griner’s pretrial detainment until her next hearing on May 19.
 
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The judge denied Griner’s request to be released on house arrest. Griner has a residence in Russia where she plays winter ball during the WNBA off season.

Under Russian law, prosecutors have 18 months before they have to bring Griner to trial.

She is reportedly sharing a jail cell with two English speaking Russian inmates who help her communicate with jailers and order books.

Griner communicates with her family through her Russian lawyers.

She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Sandra Rose
Sandra Rosehttps://sandrarose.com
Sandra Rose is founder of Sandrarose.com. She writes about entertainment, gossip, news, health, sports and fashion. Prior to launching her entertainment blog in 2007, Sandra was a well-known celebrity photographer in Atlanta. If you have a tip, email her at sandra@sandrarose.com
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