Brittney Griner trial scheduled to start Friday in Russian court, per her lawyer
A court in Russia has scheduled the trial for WNBA player Brittney Griner to begin Friday, according to a report from CNN. Griner’s lawyer also confirmed that her detention is set to be extended for six months pending the outcome of the trial.
Griner, who plays basketball in Russia during the WNBA’s offseason, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport on allegations of attempted drug smuggling. Russian authorities claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage and accused her of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The former Baylor star attended a preliminary hearing Monday, arriving handcuffed and surrounded by guards in black vests. The hearing took place at Khimki court, just outside Moscow.
The news comes after ESPN’s T.J. Quinn reported two weeks ago that Griner’s detention had been extended yet again. Quinn noted at the time that Griner was being held 117 days after her arrest, and the United States will continue to negotiate her release until she is able to be brought home.
Griner’s detention has been repeatedly extended, and many believe that Russia is using her as a political pawn after its invasion of Ukraine. With Griner now being brought to trial, things are beginning to escalate even more as she now faces possible conviction.
“The U.S. doesn’t consider this to be a legitimate legal process, but expects Russia to act as though it is,” Quinn said. “U.S. officials see it as a negotiation tactic. It’s almost certain that BG’s detention will be extended again and again until a deal is reached to bring her home. As experts have said, it’s theater, not jurisprudence.
“Such moves are also typically done to keep the story in the news and increase pressure against the U.S. government to make a deal that Russia likes. …At some point BG may well be charged, brought to trial and convicted. As Americans Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan were. Whatever happens, though, U.S. officials and former UN ambassador Bill Richardson will continue to negotiate her release.”
United States says Russia has ‘wrongfully detained’ Brittney Griner
Earlier in this process, the United States came out and called out Russia for holding Griner, saying that she is being “wrongfully detained.” Griner was originally detained in February while entering the country, and Russian officials said that she illegally brought vape cartridges containing hashish oil.
“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is among the highest priorities of the U.S government,” the State Department said, per ESPN. “The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner.
“… The U.S. government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner.”
Griner was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft after an illustrious collegiate career at Baylor.
On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.