“The State Department has come to the conclusion that the Russian Federation is unjustly detaining American national Brittney Griner,” a US foreign affairs spokesman said.
"The US government will continue its efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner," he added.
As a result of this decision, his case will now be followed directly by President Joe Biden's emissary for the release of American "hostages" abroad, Roger Carstens, a State Department official told AFP.
The 31-year-old basketball player was arrested on February 17 at an airport near Moscow with "vapes and a liquid with a particular smell" of cannabis oil, according to Russian customs.
The one who is considered one of the best players in the world faces up to ten years in prison.
The arrest of this openly lesbian double Olympic gold medalist was not revealed to the general public until March 5, 15 days after her arrest.
Meanwhile, Russian forces had invaded Ukraine, triggering an international crisis and significant US sanctions against Moscow.
American basketball player Brittney Griner scores a basket despite defending Azura Stevens, during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky, October 13, 2021 in Phoenix Christian Petersen GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives
In Washington, some feared from the outset that the player would be used as a tool of pressure in the conflict.
But the American authorities initially kept a low profile on his case, without commenting on the legal merits of his arrest.
The United States obtained the release by Moscow last week of ex-Marine Trevor Reed, sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for violence, as part of an exchange against a Russian pilot detained by American justice.
The US government also continues to demand the release of another of its nationals, Paul Whelan, sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage and who claims his innocence.
© 2022 AFP