WNBA star Brittney Griner's detention until at least July 2, state news agency Tass reported Tuesday. Griner has been in Russian custody since February, when she was arrested at a Moscow airport and accused of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage.
Griner's detention has repeatedly been extended. A Russian court ruled in March that her pre-trial detention would be extended until May 19.
It was then extended again until mid-June. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. learned of the extension through Russian state media. «Our position for some time on this has been very clear — Brittney Griner should not be detained.
She should not be detained for a single day longer,» Price said. In May, the State Department said it determined the Phoenix Mercury center, who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, was wrongfully detained. «With this determination, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner's release,» the State Department said in a statement last month.
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