- The family of a former Marine in Russian prison said they are "highly skeptical" of the case against Brittney Griner, their rep told TMZ.
- Trevor Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison after being accused of attacking Russian police officers.
- Per TMZ, the Reed family stands in support of Griner, who was arrested at a Russian airport last month.
The family representative of a former US Marine who is detained in Russia reportedly said he would bet his car that WNBA player Brittney Griner wasn't in possession of cannabis when she was arrested last month.
Jonathan Franks, a spokesperson for the family of Trevor Reed, told TMZ that they are "highly skeptical" and accusing Russian officials of false allegations against Americans including the basketball player who was arrested after authorities say vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport.
Reed has been in custody since 2019 and was convicted to nine years in prison over claims that he drunkenly attacked Russian police officers. According to TMZ, the Reeds say that the accusations against their loved one are not true.
Franks did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
During a recent interview with CNN's New Day, Reed's parents, Joey and Paula, said they are concerned and in fear that their son contracted tuberculosis and is suffering from other injuries while in prison.
"He's been sounding horrible," Joey Reed said on Wednesday. "He's coughing constantly. He said he's coughing up blood."
John Sullivan, the US ambassador to Russia, called the case against Reed "flimsy," and Reed's family has called on President Joe Biden to intervene.
Biden had reportedly spoken to Reed's parents, Joey and Paul Reed, reiterating "his commitment to doing everything he can to bring their son home, to staying in close touch with them through his national security team and to finding a time to meet in person," according to CNN.
According to TMZ's report, the Reeds are offering support to the seven-time WNBA All-Star family. Griner's detainment comes amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An expert told Insider that Griner could be used as a "pawn" as the conflict continues.
"Russia hasn't been the most forthright of nations, and we're currently in a climate where Russia has been manufacturing stories to justify its invasion of Ukraine," Adrienne Lawrence, a California attorney told Insider's Katie Balevic. "So I really wouldn't put past Russia to manufacture a story about an athlete who's from the United States."