Brittney Griner, WNBA player, was tried in a Moscow court. She faces up to 10 year imprisonment on drug smuggling and other charges. This case has highlighted the strained relations between Russia and the United States.
Griner, a Houston resident and center for the Phoenix Mercury has been held since February when Russian authorities claimed she was in possession of marijuana-derived vape cartridges.
Since her detention, she has not made any public statements. It’s unclear what her thoughts are about the allegations against her and what her perceptions of the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
Griner was photographed entering the Khimki courthouse, just outside Moscow, on Friday morning. As she walked down the stairwell wearing a Jimi Hendrix shirt, she appeared to be looking straight ahead.
Alexander Boikov was one of Griner’s attorneys and told reporters that the court interviewed two witnesses for prosecution. Behind closed doors, a Sheremetyevo Airport customs worker who searched Griner prior to her detention was interrogated about Griner’s circumstances.
Griner’s next hearing has been set for July 7, at 2:30 p.m. (local time) (8:30 am. ET). ET).
Maria Blagovolina, an additional Griner’s attorney, stated that Griner was “naturally worried” when she was asked about Griner’s mood.
Griner was arrested less than a week prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Griner plays for a Russian basketball club during the WNBA offseason.
In May, the Department of State stated that Griner was being “wrongfully held by the Russian government.” This official classification means that the special presidential envoy to hostage affairs, who works in coordination with the department can be more aggressive in its attempts to secure Griner’s release.
On Friday, Elizabeth Rood (charge d’affaires at U.S. embassy Moscow) stated that Griner could be spoken to in courtroom.
Rood stated that “She is doing as well in these difficult circumstances as possible.”
She stated that the embassy is deeply concerned about Ms. Griner’s welfare and this case, just like so many Americans and all U.S. citizens held abroad.
“The Russian Federation has wrongfully held Brittney Griner,” Rood stated, adding that the “U.S. government from the highest levels is working hard to bring Brittney, and all other wrongfully detained U.S. citizens, home safely.”
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, denied that the arrest was politically motivated and said that Griner was being held over possession of “prohibited substances.”
He stated that “the facts prove that the famous athlete was held with prohibited drugs that contained illicit substances.” Russian law does indeed provide for the punishment of such crimes. He stated that Griner’s fate would be decided by the court.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated that it will continue to press for her release after Monday’s pretrial hearing.
Experts in Russian law believe Griner’s best chance of obtaining her release is through diplomatic channels, rather than the legal system. According to Reuters, Marijuana in Russia is illegal for medical and recreational purposes. Moreover, less than 1% of all criminal cases in Russia end in acquittal.
Griner could end up in prison in a penal colony if she is convicted of large-scale drug transportation. She could also be sentenced to between 5 and 10 years imprisonment, according to William E. Butler, author of “Russian Law” and professor at Penn State Dickinson Law.
He said that Russia’s criminal code could allow a court in Russia to impose a lesser sentence than the minimum, but lawyers must present a convincing argument.
Many details surrounding Griner’s trial are still unclear. Butler stated that Griner would likely be tried by a bench jury, rather than a jury, and that he expected a verdict to be delivered on the same day as the trial.
Although he said that these trials may last only a day, “since we don’t know her side of the story, it is impossible to be certain.” Griner could appeal if she was found guilty.
Thomas Firestone, an ex-official of the Justice Department who was a Moscow lawyer, stated that he knows of a case similar to Griner’s which took approximately two and a quarter months to complete. He said that Griner’s case would not be acquitted.
Firestone believes that officials from the Kremlin will closely monitor the trial. Griner, a two time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion with Mercury, is not your average American detainee. Former diplomats suggest that President Vladimir Putin might view Griner as a bargaining chip for a prominent Russian national held in the United States.
Experts believe that Russia would like Viktor Bout to be released from prison in exchange for Russia. He is an international arms dealer, also known as the Merchant of Death. Bout was sentenced to a 25-year term in 2011 for conspiring in selling weapons to rebels in Colombia.
Leon Panetta, former Defense Secretary, stated Monday on “Meet the Press Now” that Putin withheld Griner as part a “strategy basically intimidation.”
A Putin spokesperson, however, disputed the State Department’s assertion that Griner was a Russian hostage. She told NBC News that Griner is not different from “hundreds of Russian citizens who were sentenced to carry hashish.”
Griner’s fans, which include her wife and fellow WNBA player, continue to support her at basketball games and social media using the hashtag #WeAreBG.
Cherelle Griner, Cherelle’s wife, spoke Wednesday with the Rev. Al Sharpton said that she received letters from her spouse, in which she stated she was “holding on”, but still believes she’s struggling. She is terrified. She is alone.”
Cherelle Griner stated on Sharpton’s SiriusXM radio program, “Keepin’ It Real,” she hadn’t spoken with her wife since February 17. According to reports, the couple was to speak on the anniversary date this month. However, a logistical problem with the American Embassy prevented them from connecting their calls.
Cherelle Griner stated that her wife’s trial is already set against her.
