WNBA star sentenced to nine years in penal colony
Blinken's statement marked the first public acknowledgment that the American government had taken action to secure the release of Griner
WNBA star has been detained since February
Detained WNBA star's trial began in Russia on July 1
WNBA star faces up to 10 years in prison
WNBA star detained in Moscow airport in February
The criminal proceedings against Tsvetkova, who faces up to six years in prison, are closed to the press and public
