US basketball star Brittney Griner seems in Russian court docket on drug smuggling costs

The prosecution argues that Griner supposed to import the medicine into Russia's territory and put the prohibited substances right into a backpack and a suitcase, in line with TASS. Hashish oil is topic to manage in Russia and is classed as a narcotic drug.

The second listening to of the trial will happen on July 7.

Some have speculated that Griner might be launched in a prisoner swap, however over the weekend US Secretary of State Antony Blinken refused to touch upon the matter.

Griner's legal professionals, Alexander Boykov and Maria Blagovolina, stated on Friday they have been unaware of any plans to alternate Griner for a Russian prisoner held within the US.

"We now have no details about it, sadly," the legal professionals stated throughout an impromptu press convention.

Throughout the listening to, an worker of the Sheremetyevo airport customs companies was one of many two witnesses, the legal professionals stated. He was interrogated on the circumstances of Griner's detention and private search, the legal professionals stated, including that they may not disclose any of the data that he revealed throughout the testimony.

When requested why Griner refused to talk on the costs in court docket, the legal professionals stated: "She has the appropriate to take action later.

US Embassy Cost d'Affaires Elizabeth Rood, who attended Friday's listening to, reiterated that Griner had been "wrongfully detained," including that "the observe of wrongful detention is unacceptable wherever it happens and is a menace to the protection of everybody touring, working, and residing overseas."

She spoke to Griner within the courtroom. "She is doing in addition to could be anticipated in these troublesome circumstances and he or she requested me to convey that she is in good spirits and is maintaining the religion," Rood stated.

"The US authorities, from the best ranges, is working laborious to convey Brittney and all wrongfully detained US nationals house," she added.

Griner's detention, which has been repeatedly prolonged, has sparked a wave of assist amongst dozens of organizations within the US which have joined Griner's spouse, Cherelle, in urging President Joe Biden to strike an alternate take care of Russian authorities to launch Griner and convey her house safely as quickly as doable.

"It is actually, actually troublesome. This isn't a scenario the place the rhetoric is matching the motion," she stated. "I do need to sadly push folks to ensure that the issues they're telling me can be matching their actions and so it has been the toughest factor to stability as a result of I am unable to let up. It is over 130 days and BG's nonetheless not again."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated the case is just not politically motivated throughout a convention name with reporters Friday.

Whereas the Kremlin can't touch upon the course of the trial, Peskov stated, he emphasised that Griner was detained after carrying "unlawful medicine that contained narcotic substances" which is punishable by the Russian legislation.

"Based mostly on what I stated, her arrest can't be politically motivated," Peskov added.

Griner was named an honorary WNBA All-Star Recreation starter final week, with the All-Star Recreation scheduled to happen on July 10 in Chicago. Her detention remains to be "powerful on our staff," Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard advised reporters earlier than the staff's recreation Monday towards the Indiana Fever.

She expressed hope Griner will return house quickly and that President Biden will "take the steps to make sure that she comes house."