Brittney Griner is “unjustly detained” in Russia according to the United States who consider her a hostage

The US government has decided to radically change its position in the case of Brittney Griner.

Imprisoned in Russia since February for possession of cannabis oil, the double Olympic basketball champion faces up to 10 years in prison.

"The State Department has come to the conclusion that the Russian Federation is unjustly detaining American national Brittney Griner," said a spokesman for American diplomacy.

The US government will continue its efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner.

»

As a result, 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 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.

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.