Topline
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the United States was being denied consular access to WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia on drug charges in February, amid growing calls for her release.
Brittney Griner competes in the final match between Team USA and Team Japan at the 2020 Tokyo … [+]
Key Facts
Blinken told reporters Friday that the U.S. has been seeking consular access–required under international law–to check on her wellbeing.
A Russian official told state news agency TASS earlier in the week that U.S. consulate staff had not visited Griner even though the “pre-trial detention center is ready to create all conditions” for a visit.
Ekaterina Kalugina, a member of Moscow’s Public Monitoring Commission, a prison oversight body told the Associated Press on Friday that Griner was “holding up fine” based on her visit earlier this week.
A source close to the situation told Forbes on Thursday that Griner is “okay” and has been seen by her Russian legal team several times.
Key Background
A Russian court on Thursday extended Griner’s detention until May 19. She was arrested in a Moscow airport in February after vape cartridges containing a narcotic were allegedly found in her luggage. In Russia, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. As of Friday afternoon, more than 65,000 supporters had signed an online petition calling for Griner’s prompt and safe return home. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted Wednesday, “Free Brittney” along with an article about Griner’s disappearance. U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Burgess Owens (R-Utah) sent a letter last week to President Joe Biden and Blinken urging them to make it clear to the Kremlin that “America will not tolerate Putin using Americans as his pawn.”
Further Reading
US demands Russia allow access to detained Brittney Griner (Associated Press)
WNBA works with U.S. trying to get All-Star Griner freed from Russian prison (Reuters)
WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s Detention In Russia Reportedly Extended Until May (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakim/2022/03/18/us-pushes-for-consular-access-to-wnba-player-brittney-griner/