Brittney Griner, an American basketball player, was brought to trial in Moscow on Friday. Brittney Griner, a star WNBA player aged 31, is facing drug smuggling and prison terms of up to 10 years.
Griner, who arrived at the Khimki City Court in Moscow suburbs in handcuffs and a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt, was accompanied by her legal team. The judge heard testimony from witnesses during a three hour session, before announcing that the trial would resume July 7.
Griner, who is a Russian basketball player outside of the WNBA season was arrested at Moscow’s international Airport in February. This happened just days before Russia invaded Ukraine. It sent relations with the United States into a tailspin.
An airport sniffer dog discovered vape cartridges in a woman’s luggage. Authorities later found that they contained “a substantial amount” of cannabis-derived oils. Russian law prohibits recreational or medical marijuana use and carries severe penalties for possession.
Griner has not made any public statements since her arrest. Her position on the accusation, whether she accepts it or not, remains unclear.
U.S. U.S. Rood stated that she spoke with Griner about her basketball player and that Griner was doing “as good as can be expected.”
Rood stated that Brittney Griner was wrongfully held by the Russian Federation. “Wild detention is unacceptable anywhere it happens and is a danger to everyone who travels, works, and lives abroad.” Rood stated that the U.S. government was working to bring Brittney and all wrongfully held U.S. citizens home safely.
According to Mediazona, which covers Russia’s justice system, most media outlets were prevented from entering the courtroom Friday. This was in response to Griner’s request.
This week, Jeff Hawn, a Russia expert, told CBS News that Russia held Griner “hostage”.
He told CBS News senior foreign correspondent Charlie D’Agata that it was clear that they didn’t need to press such severe charges. “They did it to get the attention of the U.S. and threaten her with the worst outcome.”
Griner’s family and her teammates kept a low profile in order to keep Washington and Moscow from becoming embroiled in a conflict. This could have made Griner an even more valuable target for Russian propaganda. However, in May, the U.S. State Department deemed her illegally detained and assigned her case to its special presidential ambassador for hostage affairs.
Friday’s Kremlin rejection of the idea that Griner’s case was politically motivated was rejected by the Kremlin.
Dmitry Peskov, presidential spokesperson, stated in a briefing that “it cannot be politically motivated.” “She was found with illegal drugs that contained narcotic substances.”
Cherelle Griner, Griner’s wife, told Al Sharpton this week that she hadn’t heard her partner’s voice since her detention. However she said that Griner had sent her letters stating that she was “struggling with fear.”
Cherelle reports that Griner wrote in the letters that Griner stated, “I won’t let them break my heart.” “I know they are trying to break me, but I will do my best to just keep going until I get home.”
Cherelle said, “I hope that it’s fast,” “because I’m still not okay.”
Griner’s supporters urged the Biden administration for a prisoner exchange similar to that which saw Trevor Reed, an ex-Marine, be released in return for Konstantin Yaroshenko (a Russian pilot currently serving a 20 year sentence for drug trafficking).
Russian media speculate that Moscow might seek Griner’s exchange for Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer. The “Merchant of Death”, also known as Griner, is currently in the United States serving a 25 year sentence for conspiring to kill Americans and aiding terrorist organizations.
Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine is still in Russian custody. He is currently serving a 16 year sentence for espionage. According to the U.S. government, he is being used in negotiations between Washington and Moscow as a bargaining chip.
