Brittney Griner’s Trial In Russia To Begin On Friday

Brittney Griner’s case in Russia is making progress—though not in the direction many have called for since her detainment. A Russian court determined the WNBA player’s trial will begin on July 1, according to AP News. The news broke on Monday as photos of a shackled Brittney started to make their rounds. On Monday, the court determined Brittney will remain behind bars for the duration of the trial—and the next six months. And a statistic presented by AP gives little hope as “fewer than 1%” of defendants in Russia get an acquittal. Not only that but if the court acquits Brittney, there’s a possibility the court can overturn the decision.

As previously reported, Brittney was arrested nearly four-and-a-half months ago at a Moscow airport. Authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage while she entered the county via the Sheremetyevo Airport. The Phoenix Mercury center player was returning to the country from New York to play for a Russian team. Brittney faces up to 10 years in prison if the court convicts her of “large-scale transportation of drugs.” In March, she pled not guilty to the drug trafficking charges.