U.S. calls out Russia, says WNBA star Brittney Griner has been 'wrongfully detained'

The United States of America has shifted their opinion on the Brittney Griner situation, as the U.S. government now considers the WNBA star “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government. According to ESPN, the new stance could signal a significant shift in how officials may try to get Griner back to the United States.

“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is among the highest priorities of the U.S government,” the State Department said, per ESPN. “The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner.

“… The U.S. government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner.”

Additionally, ESPN reported that officials and other sources close to the scene did not provide what information led to the change, or what it will take to get Griner home.

“Brittney has been detained for 75 days and our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home,” Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said in a statement to ESPN on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, the change means the U.S. government will negotiate Griner’s return now, instead of waiting for the case to play out through the Russian legal system. In addition, Griner’s fellow WNBA players and supporters in Congress have the family’s blessing to bring as much attention to the case as they wish.

Moreover, ESPN provided an update on Griner’s representation, as well as the strategy her team has been enacting.

“A source close to Griner also confirmed Monday that former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, who has worked privately for years as an international hostage negotiator, agreed to work on Griner’s case last week,” reported ESPN. “Experts have said Richardson’s involvement would be a crucial sign that her case has moved into a new realm.

“Until now, Griner’s personal team had followed State Department advice to keep a low profile so as not to make her a more valuable asset to Vladimir Putin’s government.”

Continuing, a State Department official told ESPN late Monday night of the change in Griner’s status.

“The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner,” a State Department official told ESPN. “With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release.”

However, ESPN added that Griner is not considered a hostage, as that is a different legal classification than wrongful detainee.

The news has been welcomed by Griner’s WNBA family, as the league called the news “a positive development and a next step to getting her home,” per ESPN.

Originally, Griner was detained in February at a Moscow-area airport while entering the country, as Russian prosecutors stated she illegally brought vape cartridges containing hashish oil. She’s scheduled to have a hearing on May 19, but now that she’s considered a wrong detainee, the U.S. will consider the legal proceedings to be irrelevant, added ESPN.

The WNBA season will start later this week, with a floor decal slated to be on the home court of all 12 teams honoring Griner. It’ll feature her initials, with her number 42 to raise awareness.

Hopefully, Brittney Griner is able to return home sooner rather than later following these new developments. The basketball world will keep the WNBA star at the forefront of their minds, impatiently waiting for Griner to be released.