The trial for Brittney Griner, a WNBA star who has been detained in Russia for more than four months on drug charges, began Friday with prosecutors sharing new details about the case.
U.S. Embassy officials are on hand for the trial. Press access is tightly controlled, but a crowd of journalists crammed together to catch a glimpse of Griner, in handcuffs and a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt, being escorted by guards into the courtroom at Khimki City Court, just outside of Moscow.
During Friday’s hearing, Brittney Griner was not asked to declare her innocence or guilt. That phase of the legal process will come later.
Prosecutor says Griner imported two hash cartridges
Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, after authorities at a Moscow area airport allegedly found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. She could face up to 10 years in prison if she’s convicted of drug smuggling charges.
At Friday’s court session, prosecutors unsealed their case against Brittney Griner.
Russian state news agency Tass, which had a staff member in the courtroom, reported that the indictment alleges that before traveling to Russia in February, Griner “bought two cartridges for personal use, which contained 0.252 grams and 0.45 grams of hash oil.”
A security inspection allegedly uncovered the cartridges in the basketball star’s luggage when she arrived on a flight from New York to Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki.
Two witnesses testified for the prosecution — customs agents who were working at the airport when Griner’s bags were inspected, Griner’s lawyer, Alexander Boikov, told NPR. Prosecutors will likely have four hearings before the defense gets its turn, he said.
As for Griner’s mindset right now, Boikov said that she is “a bit worried” because of the trial and the potential of a prison sentence — “but she’s a tough lady and I think she will manage.”
The next hearing is slated for July 7. A Russian judge has ordered Griner to be detained for the length of her trial.
The U.S. says Griner is being held as a bargaining chip
After Friday’s hearing, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Elizabeth Rood said she spoke with Griner in the courtroom.
“She asked me to convey that she is in good spirits and is keeping up the faith,” Rood said.
In early May, the Biden administration declared Griner to be wrongfully detained by Russia’s government. The U.S. believes the Putin regime ordered Griner’s arrest so it could use her as leverage.