US State Department now classifies WNBA player Brittney Griner as 'wrongfully detained' in Russia

By Jennifer Hansler and Wayne Sterling, CNN

Updated 1441 GMT (2241 HKT) May 3, 2022

ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCH(16 Videos)Russian court extends WNBA star Brittney Griner's arrest until MayBorussia Dortmund and Dynamo Kyiv team up for Ukraine charity matchEl Capitan free soloer Alex Honnold's foray into VRDarijo Srna on Ukrainian clubs' push for peace and his own struggle with warThe Atlanta Hawks' State Farm Arena takes world-leading step towards sustainabilityChelsea legend Didier Drogba speaks to CNN about club's plights'Putin is a killer,' says Ukraine goalkeeper as he sends a message of hope to his countryUltramarathoner with autism inspiring others after crushing 100 mile goalMeet the chef cooking for Miami's mega sporting eventsDawn Staley's investment in women's basketballTennis star serves up the taste of MiamiUkrainian skeleton star goes from Winter Olympics to war zone in weeksTaylor Fritz fulfills father's prophecy to claim Indian Wells CrownAshleigh Barty announces retirement via InstagramA look behind the scenes of the Red Bull Plane Swap World's top female bobsledder says she switched to US team after fearing for her 'physical safety'

(CNN)The State Department has now classified WNBA player Brittney Griner as wrongfully detained in Russia and her case is now being handled by the office of the US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) Roger Carstens, a State Department official confirmed to CNN.

The SPEHA office leads and coordinates the government's diplomatic efforts aimed at securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad. They played a major role in securing the release of US citizen and former Marine Trevor Reed from Russia last week. Brittney Griner: 'It's the most