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

A source close to the basketball player said on Thursday that she is ok, despite the fact that the US State Department has not had access to her since her arrest.

A State Department official issued a statement on Thursday saying that the Russian government should give consular access to all U.S. citizens in Russia, including those in pre- trial detention.

The statement marks a slight but significant change in the government's tone. The government has 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. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not mention her by name when he was asked about her at a news conference last week.

One source said that based on State Department guidance, the representatives of Griner have asked the NBA, the media and her supporters to keep her case low-key.

Despite the inability of diplomats to visit her in Russian custody, the source close to her said that they have received constant updates from her team of Russian attorneys.

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

Prosecutors were granted an extension until May 19 for their pre- trial investigation of the case of Griner, who is accused of bringing the oil into the country.

The news of the extension caused a stir in the U.S. media, but experts said the move was expected and there was never an expectation that Griner was to be released anytime soon.

Russian law allows defendants to be held for up to 18 months in extraordinary cases, according to Tom Firestone, a former U.S. Department of Justice resident legal advisor to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

According to Russian media, one of her attorneys moved to have her transferred from jail to house arrest, a request that her representatives do not expect to be granted. There are two Americans in Russian custody that have been there for more than two years.

It would be difficult for her to be released ahead of the other two.

In the State Department statement, the official said that they were closely involved in the case and in contact with the legal team. We have been denied access to these people multiple times. Russia has a legal obligation to allow us to provide services for U.S. citizens in its custody. We take our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens seriously, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for all U.S. citizens when they are subject to legal processes overseas.