A Russian court has extended the pretrial detention for WNBA star Brittney Griner through at least July 2, state-owned Tass reported Tuesday.
Griner, 31, has been held in Russia since February on accusations of drug smuggling.
Her detention was extended for another 18 days at "the request of the investigation," according to a representative from the Khimki Court of the Moscow Region, per the state media outlet, ABC News reported.
The Biden administration last month determined that Griner has been classified officially as "wrongfully detained."
Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle, late last month told ABC that she wanted President Joe Biden to secure her partner's release, doing whatever is necessary to get the basketball star home from Russia.
"I just keep hearing that, you know, he has the power. She's a political pawn," said Cherelle, who became emotional detailing what little she knows about Griner's detainment during an interview that aired on "Good Morning America."
"So if they're holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it."
Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport, near Moscow, on Feb. 17 after officials allegedly found vape cartridges with hashish oil in her bag, ABC reported. Hashish oil is illegal to possess in Russia, and Griner could face up to 10 years in prison.
Griner's detention has been extended repeatedly.
Reuters reported that Phoenix Mercury members met with the State Department on Monday to discuss Griner's situation.
"Hearing directly from the people who are working to free BG was helpful!!" Griner's Mercury teammate Brianna Turner wrote on Twitter. "The State Department stated their support for us as a team & asked for us to keep up our efforts in publicly supporting her."
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