Brittney Griner’s defense is expected to argue her case in a Russian court on Thursday, one week after the WNBA star pleaded guilty to drug charges and nearly 150 days after she was first detained.
It’s the third hearing in the trial of the Phoenix Mercury center and Olympic medalist, who could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. And it comes amidst growing public pressure on the Biden administration to make a deal to secure her release.
Griner was arrested on Feb. 17 — a week before Russia invaded Ukraine — after authorities at a Moscow area airport found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage, with prosecutors later alleging that she had purchased two cartridges containing 0.252 grams and 0.45 grams of hash oil for personal use.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
