Brittney Griner‘s detainment in Russia is drawing a strong reaction from the family of a U.S. Marine who’s also imprisoned there … and they’re not buying what the Russians are selling.
The family of Trevor Reed, a retired Marine from Texas who’s been locked up in Russia since 2019, is “highly skeptical” of the allegations surrounding Brittney, because they’ve seen the Russians fabricate criminal cases.
That’s why Reed’s family rep, Jonathan Franks, tells us the family believes the claim Brittney was traveling with hashish oil could be totally bogus … and they’re accusing the Russians of manufacturing criminal charges against other Americans, including Trevor.
As we reported, Russian officials have opened up a drug trafficking investigation after customs officials at an airport near Moscow claimed to have found vape cartridges in Brittney’s carry-on.
customs.gov.ru
Franks says he’d bet his car Griner was NOT in possession of cannabis, and the facts surrounding Trevor’s case might explain why.
For those who don’t know, Trevor was convicted in July 2020 and sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison for allegedly endangering the life and health of Russian police officers during an altercation in Moscow.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, says the alleged crime never happened and has even described Trevor’s case as “theater of the absurd.”
The Reeds deny the allegations against Trevor, and recognize Brittney’s situation as tragic. We’re told they hope her circumstances, and Trevor’s, will wake up folks to the danger of being an American in Russia.
We’re told Trevor’s loved ones are reaching out to Brittney’s family … offering to provide any support and insight from their dealings with Russia.
TMZ.com
Sen. Lindsey Graham told us the State Dept. is working on securing Brittney’s release … and the Reeds say Trevor could use help too, because he might have been exposed to tuberculosis in prison.
His family’s hoping all the international attention will lead to better treatment for Americans detained in Russia.