WNBA star Brittney Griner appears in Russian courtroom for hearing on cannabis possession charge as she faces possible 10-year prison sentence if convicted
This Monday, WNBA player Brittney Griner appeared in a Russian courtroom for a preliminary hearing in her ongoing efforts to return to the United States, her lawyer Alexander Boykov told ABC News.
Pictures taken from a courtroom in Russia shows the 6-foot-9 athlete surrounded by prison guards as she was escorted into the courtroom in Khimki on the outskirts of Moscow. She’s there ahead of her trial for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil through Moscow airport security last February. The hearing will be held behind behind closed doors, CNN reported.
UPDATE: A Russian court has set the start date for the criminal trial for Friday, the Associated Press reports
So far, court date has not been announced yet though is expected soon, the outlet said. As we previously reported earlier this month, a court has ruled to keep Griner in custody through at least July 2.
What Exactly Happened To Brittney Griner?
The seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, remains in Russian custody after being detained in February at Sheremetyevo International Airport. The Russian Federal Customs Service claims to have found vape cartridges containing the marijuana concentrate hashish oil in Griner’s luggage. The U.S. government has since rallied to Griner’s defense, declaring her “wrongfully detained” on May 3 and reportedly enlisting the help of former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, who has several years of experience as an international hostage negotiator.
“The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner,” a State Department spokesperson told ESPN. “With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release.”
RELATED: Tory Lanez Calls For Brittney Griner’s Release As Her Russia Detainment Is Extended
The WNBA has remained supportive of Griner throughout her detainment. In a June 2 report from the AP, it was said that Griner has received hundreds of emails and letters from players around the league.
So far, Dozens of civil and human rights groups have written a letter to Biden urging him to help secure the release of Griner. She’s remained in a Russian jail since February on drug charges.
“We join Brittney’s family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones in deep appreciation of your Administration’s ongoing efforts to secure her freedom,” the organizations wrote in the one-page letter. “The U.S. Government has acknowledged that Brittney is essentially a political pawn in classifying her as wrongfully detained. While these have been critically important measures, we now urge you to make a deal to get Brittney back home to America immediately and safely.” Griner’s wife has also called on Biden to “do something.”