• If convicted, she may spend up to 10 years in jail.
• US officials have urged for her release, concerns that she is being exploited as a political pawn.
• Griner has been detained in Russia for more than 130 days.

Brittney Griner, a two-time gold medallist for the United States in Olympic basketball, began her drug smuggling trial on Friday at a courthouse close to Moscow. If convicted, she may spend up to 10 years in jail.

A week before Russia attacked Ukraine, Griner, a 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury player who competes in Russia during the WNBA offseason, was detained on February 17 at a Moscow airport.

In light of growing concerns that Griner is being exploited as a political pawn amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia, Griner’s supporters and US officials claim that she is unlawfully held and have urged for her release.

A prosecution at the trial said that Griner had less than a gramme of cannabis oil in her luggage.

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“Being sufficiently aware that the movement of narcotic drugs is not permitted… no later than February 17, 2022 at an unknown location under an unknown circumstance from an unknown person [Griner] purchased two cartridges for personal use, each containing 0.252 grammes and 0.45 grammes of hash oil, totaling 0.702 grammes,” the prosecutor said, according to a TASS reporter in the Khimki City Court’s hallway.

According to TASS, the prosecution contends that Griner wanted to import the drugs into Russia and placed the illegal substances in a backpack and a suitcase. Cannabis oil is regarded as a narcotic drug in Russia and is subject to supervision.
On July 7, the trial’s second hearing will be held.

Despite rumours that Griner would be freed in exchange for another prisoner, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remained silent over the weekend.

Alexander Boykov and Maria Blagovolina, Griner’s attorneys, stated on Friday that they were not aware of any preparations to swap Griner for a Russian prisoner being held in the US.

During an unplanned press appearance, the attorneys stated, “Unfortunately, we have no information about it.”

One of the two witnesses during the hearing was a Sheremetyevo airport customs service employee, according to the attorneys. The lawyers said that he was questioned on Griner’s detention and personal search details and stated they were unable to share any of the information he divulged.

The attorneys responded, “She has the right to do so later,” when asked why Griner declined to address the allegations in court.

Griner had been “wrongfully detained,” according to Elizabeth Rood, charge d’affaires at the US Embassy, who was present at the hearing on Friday. She added that “the practise of wrongful detention is unacceptable wherever it occurs and is a threat to the safety of everyone travelling, working, and living abroad.”

In front of Griner, she spoke. She requested me to transmit that she is in good spirits and maintaining her faith, and she is doing as well as can be expected under these trying circumstances, Rood added.

She continued, “The US government, at the highest levels, is working diligently to get Brittney and all US citizens unlawfully detained home.”

Numerous US organisations have joined Griner’s wife, Cherelle, in calling on President Joe Biden to broker a settlement with the Russian government to free Griner and bring her home safely as soon as possible. Griner’s detention, which has been repeatedly extended, has created a wave of support.

Cherelle Griner pleaded with US authorities to take further action to ensure her wife’s release.

It’s incredibly, really challenging. The rhetoric and the behaviour in this instance do not line up, she added. “Unfortunately, I have to push individuals to make sure that what they say me matches up with what they do, and juggling that has proven to be the most difficult. After more than 130 days, BG has still not returned.

During a conference call with reporters on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that there is no political motivation behind the case.

Peskov stressed that Griner was detained for carrying “illegal narcotics that contained narcotic chemicals,” which is against Russian legislation and for which the Kremlin cannot comment on the progress of the trial.

She cannot have been arrested for political reasons, according to what I mentioned, Peskov continued.

Last Monday, Griner received an honorary start in the WNBA All-Star Game, which will be played on July 10 in Chicago. Before the Phoenix Mercury’s matchup against the Indiana Fever on Monday, head coach Vanessa Nygaard told the media that her continued imprisonment is still “difficult on our team.”

The president should “take the steps to ensure that she gets home,” she hoped, and Griner should soon return to her family.

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