Brittney Griner: US reclassifies WNBA star as 'wrongfully detained' in Russia

Biden administration seeks to more aggressively secure basketball star's release

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP

Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP

Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP

Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters

The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP

Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP

A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA

Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA

Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA

A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP

The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA

Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters

Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP

"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP

Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP

Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters

Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

US President Joe Biden's administration has reclassified basketball star Brittney Griner as “wrongfully detained” by Russia, as Washington seeks to more aggressively seek her release, a State Department representative confirmed to The National on Tuesday.

Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February after Russian authorities claimed they had discovered several cannabis oil vape cartridges.

She now faces charges that carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

Since her detention, US officials had said they were focused on ensuring she had access to American consular affairs officials while in jail.

The White House said last week that it had been in contact with her family “over the course of time”, but did not provide additional details.

“The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained US citizen Brittney Griner,” the representative told The National.

“The US government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms Griner.”

The representative added that the safety and welfare of Americans abroad is of the highest priority.

It is unknown what prompted Griner's reclassification, but the Biden administration has been under pressure to secure her release after negotiating the return of former marine Trevor Reed last week.

ESPN first reported the news of Griner's new designation.

Roger Carstens, US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, will lead a team to secure her release, ESPN reported.

Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson, who played an active role in securing Mr Reed's release, agreed last week to join Griner's team.

“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, Griner's agent, told ESPN in a statement.

Meanwhile, the WNBA is expected to honour the two-time Olympic gold medallist with a floor decal featuring her initials and her jersey number — BG 42.

The league also confirmed it would allow Griner's team, the Phoenix Mercury, to continue paying her full salary without it counting against the team's cap.

“As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

“We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

Griner, a former WNBA champion and seven-time All-Star, was the league's second-leading scorer for the 2020-21 season. She led the Mercury to the WNBA finals last year, where they lost to the Chicago Sky.

She is scheduled to make her first appearance in Russian court on May 19.