U.S. State Department officials still seeking access to Brittney Griner in Russia; source describes basketball star as doing 'OK'

U.S. State Department officials say they still have not had access to Brittney Griner since she was arrested in Moscow on Feb. 17 on drug charges, although a source close to the star basketball player told ESPN on Thursday, «We know she's OK.»

A State Department official issued a statement to ESPN on Thursday saying, «We insist the Russian government provide consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, as Brittney Griner is.»

The statement marks a slight but significant change in the government's tone when it comes to Griner. Up until now the government has deliberately kept a low profile with her case, hoping not to increase her profile to the point where she might become a valuable political asset to the Russian government. It generally has avoided commenting at all, and when Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked about her at a news conference last week he gave a tepid statement that did not mention her by name.

Based on State Department guidance, Griner's representatives have asked the WNBA, NBA, the media and Griner's supporters generally to keep any attention to her case «on a low simmer,» as one source said.

The source close to Griner said that despite the inability of diplomats to visit Griner or other Americans in Russian custody, they have gotten frequent updates on her from her team of Russian attorneys.

«I wouldn't say she's 'good,' but she's OK,» the source said.

Griner, accused of bringing vape cartridges containing hashish oil — oil derived from cannabis — into the country, appeared in court Wednesday for a hearing in which prosecutors were granted an extension until May 19 for their pre-trial investigation.

The news of the extension, reported by