Moscow says US must respect Russian law in Griner case

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman slammed the United States on Thursday for describing the arrest of basketball player Brittney Griner on drug charges as “wrongful imprisonment,” saying it demonstrates a disregard for Russian law.

The vape canisters containing cannabis oil found in Griner’s luggage led to her arrest at a Moscow airport in mid-February, and she has been imprisoned ever since. At a recent court appearance, the two-time Olympic gold winner and current Phoenix Mercury star admitted to having the canisters, but said she had no intention of breaking the law.

If convicted, she may face up to ten years in jail. There will be a new phase of her trial beginning on Tuesday.

Griner’s case was sent to the special presidential envoy for hostage matters, who effectively serves as the federal government’s top hostage negotiator, after it was identified as unlawfully imprisoned by the State Department in May of this year.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the legalization of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use in some regions of the United States has no influence on Russian policy.

It should be in accordance with Russian law, not the laws of San Francisco, New York, and Washington, Zakharova added, if a U.S. citizen is arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling, which she does not refute.