Brittney Griner could face up to 10 years in jail as her trial date is set / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

More than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession (February 17), a Russian court has set the start date of the criminal trial of WNBA star Brittney Griner for July 1, via The Associated Press.

Brittney Griner

Position:CAge:31Height:206 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:Houston, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

The Phoenix Mercury front-runner was also ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial. She could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs.

According to the report, fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned.

On Monday, the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki extended Griner's detention for another six months after she appeared for a preliminary hearing held behind closed doors. Photos obtained by the AP showed her appearing in handcuffs.

Her detention came as US and Women's National Basketball Association officials urged Americans to leave Russia amid rising tensions over Ukraine, which Russia invaded on February 24.

In May, a U.S. State Department said that she had been wrongfully detained in Russia. They also confirmed Biden's administration has made her release a priority.

As it was reported earlier, Russia was looking to exchange Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap for notorious convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout.

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