Russia prolonged wnba megastar brittney griner’s detention until at the least july 2, nation news agency tass stated tuesday. Griner has been in russian custody since february, while she became arrested at a moscow airport and accused of smuggling hashish oil in her baggage. Griner’s detention has repeatedly been extended. A russian courtroom dominated in march that her pre-trial detention might be prolonged until might also 19.

It become then prolonged once more till mid-june. Kingdom branch spokesman ned rate informed reporters tuesday that the u. S. Discovered of the extension through russian state media. “our function for a while in this has been very clear — brittney griner must now not be detained. She must no longer be detained for a single day longer,” rate said.

In might also, the nation branch said it decided the phoenix mercury middle, who played in russia at some point of the wnba off-season, turned into wrongfully detained. “with this dedication, the office of the unique presidential envoy for hostage affairs will lead the interagency team for securing brittney griner’s release,” the kingdom department stated in a statement last month. Kingdom department officials met with griner’s teammates and coaches on monday to discuss the repute of her detention, the phoenix mercury said.

Also on the meeting had been representatives from the u. S. Unique presidential envoy for hostage affairs and a senior representative from the bureau of educational and cultural affairs, rate stated. “we’re on day 116 due to the fact bg has been wrongfully detained,” mercury educate vanessa nygaard stated in a declaration shared at the crew’s twitter. “it become super to listen from the nation department that we must hold to amplify that message and that and that we must continue to press all the ones who’ve any impact or power to help carry bg home.” ahead brianna turner said nation branch officers “endorsed us to maintain speaking her name, to hold protecting them responsible to convey bg lower back home as soon as feasible.” secretary of state antony blinken spoke to griner’s spouse, cherelle griner, on saturday, reiterating that securing griner’s release is a priority, that her case has his complete interest, and that his team is operating on it day and night, according to a senior nation department professional. Cherelle has referred to as on president joe biden to do whatever is vital to secure her spouse’s release.

“i simply preserve listening to that he has the energy. She’s a political pawn,” cherelle said in an interview with “precise morning the united states” last month. “so if they may be maintaining her due to the fact they want you to do something, then i need you to do it.”