US officials: Griner now considered wrongfully detained
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has determined that WNBA star Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained in Russia, meaning the United States will more aggressively work to secure her release even as the legal case against her plays out.
That's according to two U.S. officials who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.
Griner was detained at an airport in February after Russian authorities said a search of her bag revealed vape cartridges containing traces of cannabis oil.
Since then, U.S. officials had stopped short of classifying the Phoenix Mercury player as wrongfully detained. ESPN first reported the reclassification in Griner's case.
