WNBA's Brittney Griner Wrongfully Detained

Print

Published on May 4 2022 5:53 am
Last Updated on May 4 2022 5:54 am

The  State Department said Tuesday that the adminstration has determined that WNBA star Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained by Russia, meaning the U.S. will more aggressively work for her release even as the legal case in Russia plays out.

The U.S. had until now stopped short of classifying Griner as wrongfully detained, focusing on ensuring she had access to U.S. consular affairs officials. But now her case has been sent to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, which focuses on negotiating for the release of hostages and other Americans classified as wrongfully detained in other countries.

It’s unclear what led to the change.