U.S. classifies Brittney Griner as 'wrongfully detained' by Russia in 'significant shift'


In a shift, the United States is reportedly now classifying Brittney Griner as being "wrongfully detained" in Russia.
An official from the State Department confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday the U.S. has "determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained" the WNBA star.
"With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner's release," the official said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Griner was arrested at the airport in Russia in February after cannabis vape cartridges were allegedly found in her suitcase. She has remained detained since then, and in March, her detention was extended for another two months.
Initially, officials were concerned that the U.S. was denied consular access to Griner, though this was later granted. State Department spokesperson Ned Price told CNN in March the U.S. was "able to check" on her and found that she is in "good condition."
Classifying Griner as being wrongfully detained marked a "significant shift," which indicates that the U.S. "will no longer wait for Griner's case to play out through the Russian legal system and will seek to negotiate her return," ESPN wrote. According to the report, Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and international hostage negotiator, is also now working on Griner's case.
"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 told ESPN.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies
-
YouTube to pay Trump $22M over Jan. 6 expulsion
Speed Read The president accused the company of censorship following the suspension of accounts post-Capitol riot