The American basketball player was detained in Russia on suspicion of drug trafficking.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken considers the return of unfairly detained Americans, such as basketball star Brittney Griner, a priority in his work.
This was announced by Department of State spokesman Ned Price.
“We want to put an end to this practice – whether we are talking about Russia or any other country that unlawfully, unfairly detains Americans or citizens of third countries for political gain,” Price said.
Griner was arrested in February on charges of possession of hashish oil. The star of the Women’s National Basketball Association faces a prison sentence of up to ten years if found guilty.
The trial began on July 1 and will resume on Thursday.
On Monday, Griner sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden, in which she asked him to “do everything possible” so that she and other Americans who are being held in Russia could return home.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that Biden had read the letter.
