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U.S. Basketball Star's Trial Begins In Moscow [1]

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Date: 2022-07

U.S. basketball star Britney Griner appeared in a Russian court on July 1 for the start of a drug-possession trial more than four months into her custody and with U.S.-Russian relations at a low point.

The court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki this week told Griner, a WNBA player and two-time Olympic gold medalist who was playing for a Russian team, that she faces up to 10 years in prison on the possession and smuggling charges.

Authorities said they found cannabis oil in vape cartridges in Griner's luggage when she was at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February.

Griner was also told at the closed-door hearing that her detention had been extended for another six months, to December 20.

The U.S. State Department in May classified Griner as "wrongfully detained" and shifted oversight of her case to its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

Griner's family and supporters have tempered concerns in pursuit of a quiet resolution of the case.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 1 that "the famous athlete was detained in possession of prohibited medication containing narcotic substances" and thus the case "can’t be politically motivated."

Griner's arrest came as the West was warning of a massive buildup of Russian troops in preparation for its February 24 invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

Since the arrest, speculation has mounted that Moscow may be hoping Griner's high profile in the United States could be used to help spur a prisoner swap.

Russia is also holding another former Marine, Paul Whelan, on spy charges that the United States has repeatedly described as unfounded.

Only around one percent of Russian trials end in acquittal.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

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[1] Url: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-baskeball-griner-trial-cannabis/31924609.html

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