The United States said on Tuesday that Russia had unfairly detained basketball star Brittney Griner as its league announced plans to honor her in all locations before the start of the season. More than two months after she was detained amid mounting tensions over Ukraine, the State Department said her case was being turned over to Roger Carstens, the US special envoy in charge of hostages. “The State Department has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongly detained American citizen Brittney Griner,” a State Department spokesman said.
The spokesman called the security of American citizens “one of the highest priorities of the US government,” the spokesman said the State Department would provide “appropriate support” to Griner.
Washington had previously been granted consular access, but did not comment on the nature of her detention.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport on February 17 on charges of carrying cannabis oil vape cartridges in her luggage, illegally in Russia.
The arrest came days before Russia ignored US warnings and invaded Ukraine, prompting Western powers to impose sweeping sanctions and send military aid to Kiev.
The WNBA, the Women’s National Basketball Association, has announced that all 12 locations will have Griner’s initials and jersey number 42 on the sidelines when the new season kicks off Friday.
“As the 2022 season begins, we will keep Brittney at the forefront of what we do through basketball and in the community,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
“We continue to work to bring Brittney home and are grateful for the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extremely challenging time,” she said.
The State Department’s finding comes nearly a week after the United States and Russia exchanged prisoners, a scene reminiscent of the Cold War.
Russia has released Trevor Reed, a former US Marine accused of drunken fights with police at the latest exchange.
The United States also says that Russia has wrongfully detained Paul Whelan, a former security officer at an auto parts company who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of espionage.
promoted
Griner, 31, is considered one of the best female basketball players for her skill at “dunning” a ball.
She played club basketball in Russia before the resumption of the American season, a common practice for American stars seeking additional income.
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