Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee calls Brittany Griner's detainment in Russia 'targeted and purposeful'

• A Texas congresswoman said that WNBA star Brittney Griner's detainment appears "targeted."
• Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made the comment in a recent interview with The Hill.

Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said that WNBA star Brittney Griner's detainment in Russia appears to be "targeted."

Lee told The Hill she was concerned about the basketball player's privacy.

"But under the circumstances, I'm obviously concerned and believe the actions of the [Russian] Federal Customs officers was unnecessary. And it was, in my perspective, targeted and purposeful," Jackson told the outlet. "I don't underestimate anything that Russia would do. With that in mind, I've got to keep fighting on all aspects of the front to ensure her safety."

Griner, who is from Texas, was detained after officials said they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport in Russia last month. Her arrest came amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Officials said the seven-time WNBA All-Star was taken into custody as a "preventative measure," a charge that has a maximum of 10 years behind bars, as Insider reported.

Other Texas officials have raised alarms regarding Griner's arrest. During an interview with ESPN, Rep. Colin Allred of Texas said that the length of Griner's detainment is "extremely concerning."

"I know the administration is working hard to try and get access to her and try to be helpful here," Alfred said last week. "But obviously, it's also happening in the context of really strained relations. I do think that it's really unusual that we've not been granted access to her from our embassy and our consular services."