Basketball star Brittney Griner arrives at Russian court for trial on drug charges

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow on July 7, 2022. (AP)
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  • The athlete was detained in February at Moscow鈥檚 Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage
  • She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs

MOSCOW: Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner returned to a Russian court Thursday to face her trial on drug charges as a senior Russian diplomat warned that US criticism of how Russia鈥檚 handling the case wouldn鈥檛 help her release prospects.
Griner鈥檚 trial began last week amid a growing chorus of calls for Washington to do more to secure her freedom nearly five months after her arrest.
The athlete was detained in February at Moscow鈥檚 Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned Thursday that 鈥渁ttempts by the American side to make noise in public ... don鈥檛 help the practical settlement of issues.鈥�
The White House said President Joe Biden called Griner鈥檚 wife on Wednesday to assure her that he鈥檚 doing all he can to obtain the athlete鈥檚 release, as soon as possible. They spoke after Biden read a letter from Griner in which she said she feared she鈥檇 never return home.
Washington hasn鈥檛 made public its strategy in the case and the United States may have little leverage with Moscow because of strong animosity due to Russia鈥檚 military actions in Ukraine. The State Department has designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government鈥檚 chief hostage negotiator.
Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the US, Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, noted that until her trial is over 鈥渢here are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps.鈥�
He warned that US criticism, including a description of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, 鈥渕akes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges.鈥�
The trial of the Phoenix Mercury star and two-time Olympic gold medalist was adjourned after its start last week because two scheduled witnesses did not appear. Such delays are routine in Russian courts and her detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, suggesting the proceedings could last months.
It was unclear if Griner would testify Thursday.
Although Griner鈥檚 supporters initially kept a low profile, calls for the United States to take action spiked after the trial鈥檚 first day.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, one of America鈥檚 most prominent Black activists, this week called for Biden to arrange a prayer meeting with Griner, saying, 鈥淔our months is too long for this to have gone on, and I hope the President acts on her pleas to come home.鈥�
An organization called Win With Black Women sent Biden a letter saying Secretary of State Antony Blinken 鈥渉as called Cherelle Griner, Brittney鈥檚 wife, assuring her and stating publicly that Brittney鈥檚 safe return was a matter of personal priority; however, we are concerned that the rhetoric does not appear to align with the actions taken to date. We urge you to make a deal to get Brittney back home swiftly.鈥�
Russian news media have repeatedly speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed 鈥渢he Merchant of Death,鈥� who is serving a 25-year sentence in the US on conviction of conspiracy to kill US citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization.
Russia has agitated for Bout鈥檚 release for years. But the wide discrepancy between Griner鈥檚 alleged offense and Bout鈥檚 global dealings in deadly weapons could make such a swap unpalatable to Washington.
Others have suggested that she could be traded along with Paul Whelan, a former Marine and security director serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on an espionage conviction that the US has repeatedly described as a setup.
Russia has shown no signs of backing off.
鈥淭his is a serious offense, confirmed by indisputable evidence ... Attempts to present the case as if the American was detained illegally do not hold up,鈥� Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexei Zaitsev said Wednesday.
鈥淭he law has been violated, and arguments about the innocent nature of Griner鈥檚 addiction, which, by the way, is punishable in some US states, are inappropriate in this case,鈥� he said.