U.S. State Department says Russia has wrongfully detained basketball player Griner

By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON -The U.S. State Division has decided that Russia has wrongfully detained American basketball participant Brittney Griner, a division spokesperson mentioned in a press release.

Russia mentioned it had detained seven-time WNBA All-Star participant Griner in February for possession of vape cartridges containing hash oil.

The Russian embassy in Washington didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

Russia detained Griner amid hovering tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however U.S. officers had not beforehand decided that she was wrongfully detained.

The US has complained that Russia doesn't grant common entry to Individuals detained there, though consular entry to Griner was granted and a consular officer visited her on March 23, the spokesperson mentioned.

“The U.S. authorities will proceed to undertake efforts to supply acceptable help to Ms. Griner,” the assertion mentioned. Griner’s case was now being dealt with by Roger Carstens, particular presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the spokesperson mentioned.

Russia returned one other U.S. citizen, former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed, final week in a prisoner swap for a Russian pilot convicted of drug smuggling.

One other former marine, Paul Whelan, stays detained in Russia after he was sentenced to 16 years in jail on espionage prices in June 2020.