US State Department calls for 'regular access' to American detainees in Russia

WNBA player Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for three months

Brittney Griner, a WNBA player who was detained in Moscow on drug charges, received a visit from a US consular officer on Thursday. Reuters

The US State Department called on Russia on Friday to grant regular access to detained American basketball star Brittney Griner and other prisoners.

Griner, a WNBA player who was detained in Moscow on drug charges only a few days before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February, received a visit from a US consular officer on Thursday.

“The consular officer found her continuing to do as well as could be expected under these exceedingly challenging circumstances,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

“But again, our message is a clear and simple one: we continue to insist that Russia allow consistent and timely consular access to all US citizen detainees. One-off visits are not sufficient.”

Last week, a Russian court extended Griner's pretrial detention until at least June.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist was detained at the Moscow airport after police reportedly found cannabis oil in her luggage. She was charged with attempting to smuggle a narcotic substance and, if convicted, could spend up to 10 years in prison.

Griner had been playing for a Moscow basketball team since 2014.

Earlier this month, the State Department confirmed to The National Griner had been reclassified as being “wrongfully detained” — a designation that suggests the US will be more aggressive in attempting to secure her 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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, last Saturday, CNN reported. He said the case is a top priority and that his department will spare no effort to ensure her release.

In a statement obtained by CNN, Griner's family said they are “grateful for the time Secretary Blinken took on his recent call with Cherelle and look forward to her face-to-face meeting with the president”.

The US has previously been denied access to Ms Griner, with John Sullivan, the US ambassador to Russia, saying Moscow had refused the embassy permission to visit three times.

“This is unacceptable. We call on @mfa_russia to provide timely consular access, in line with Russia's international and bilateral obligations,” Mr Sullivan tweeted.

Reuters contributed to this report