US proposes swap with Russia to free Brittney Griner

The U.S. State Deoartment is now offering to trade prisoners with Russia to bring home basketball star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine from Michigan.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken added he would engage with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. It was the first public acknowledgement of a deal that could involve a prisoner swap or addressing the sanctions placed on the country after it invaded Ukraine.

“My hope would be that in speaking to Foreign Minister Lavrov, I can advance the efforts to bring them home,” Blinken said.

CNN Interview with Cherelle Griner, the wife of American WNBA star Brittney Griner

CNN's Abby Phillip sat down with Cherelle Griner, the wife of American WNBA star Brittney Griner for an interview in which she said that she wants US officials to do whatever they have to do to bring the basketball legend home -- and she needs to see them do more

Watch the full interview below:

WNBA commissioner's update on Brittney Griner

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert kicked off Monday's WNBA draft with an update on Phoenix Mercury All-Star Brittney Griner, who remains imprisoned in a Russian jail. Watch that statement below:

U.S, Consulate in Russia yet to see Brittney Griner

U.S. State Department spokesperson, Ned Price says the U.S. Consulate in Russia has not seen Brittney Griner to check on her since she was arrested in Moscow on Feb. 17 on drug charges.

Brittney Griner detention in Russia extended to May 19

Russian media reported that the detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner was extended until May 19, a development that could see the two-time Olympic champion being held for at least three months before her case is resolved.

Griner was detained at a Moscow airport, reportedly in mid-February, after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19,” the court said, according to the state news agency Tass.

Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Public Monitoring Commission, told TASS that Griner is sharing a cell with two inmates who "had no previous convictions and are charged with drug-related articles.">/p>

“The only objective problem has turned out to be the basketball player’s height,” Tass quoted Kalugina as saying of the 6-foot-9 Griner. “The beds in the cell are clearly intended for a person of lesser height.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee demands Russia release WNBA star Brittney Griner

During a press conference Saturday, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 18th) delivered remarks on Houston native and WNBA star, Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia on drug charges. In her statement, the congresswoman says she will be demanding her release.

Watch her entire statement below:

Brittney Griner arrested in Russia on drug charges

WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia last month at a Moscow airport after a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges.

The Russian Customs Service said Saturday that the cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The customs service identified the person arrested as a player for the U.S. women's team and did not specify the date of her arrest. Russian media reported the player was Griner, and her agent did not dispute those reports.

“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA,” Griner's agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas said Saturday. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”

“Brittney Griner has the WNBA's full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States,” the league said in a statement.

[SOURCE: AP]