As U.S. officials say they’ve not spoken to Brittney Griner since her arrest in Moscow on February 17 on drug charges, a State Department official said in a statement Thursday, “We insist the Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is.”
The statement marks a change in tune from the government with regards to the basketball star, as it had kept a tight wrap on the case so as not to make her a bargaining chip with Russia.
Despite this, a source close to Griner says, “We know she’s ok.”
“I wouldn’t say she’s ‘good,’ but she’s ok,” the source added.
Griner, accused of bringing marijuana vape cartridges into Russia, had a court hearing Wednesday during which prosecutors were granted an extension until May 19 for a pre-trial investigation. While it shocked some, the move was expected.
“We are closely engaged on this case and in frequent contact with Brittney Griner’s legal team,” the State Department statement said. “We have repeatedly asked for consular access to these detainees and have consistently been denied access. Russia must abide by its legal obligations and allow us to provide consular services for U.S. citizens detained in Russia. We take our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens seriously, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for all U.S. citizens when they are subject to legal processes overseas.”
