The trial of professional basketball player from the United States, Britney Greener, who was arrested in Russia in February after the authorities found in her luggage cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, began in Moscow. Greiner, a star of the National Women’s Basketball Federation (WNBA) and two-time Olympic gold medalist, arrived in the courtroom on the outskirts of the Russian capital on Friday for the trial, in which she faces up to 10 years in prison. Arriving in handcuffs at the court in the city of Khimki, the 31-year-old athlete was wearing a T-shirt that showed the guitar icon Jimi Hendrix and was accompanied by three people. US embassy staff were present at the process. Cameras were not allowed in court. U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rudd told reporters at the trial that Greener told her he “kept his faith” and did “as well as expected.” The State Department has described Greener as an “unjustified detainee” and is negotiating her release amid strained relations with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Greiner was arrested a few days before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into the neighboring country on February 24. On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov denied that the case was politically motivated. “I can only work with known evidence and the facts show that the prominent athlete was detained with illegal drugs containing drugs. “There are articles in Russian law that provide for punishment for such crimes,” he told reporters. “Only the court can issue a verdict.” Greener’s detention has raised concerns that Moscow could use the athlete to demand the release of a high-profile Russian detained in the United States, with Senator Tim Kaine warning that Phoenix Mercury striker could be used as a “bargaining chip”. chip”. Some of Griner’s supporters have called on the United States to offer such an exchange. High-profile figures around the sports world have also called for Griner to be released, with NBA players wearing “We are BG” T-shirts at some games. WNBA players, who are paid far less than their male counterparts, are often offered lucrative contracts by the Russian Women’s Basketball Premier League to play during the US off-season. Some have now left the Russian championship amid Greener’s detention and Russian military intervention in Ukraine. U.S. officials say Greener is one of two citizens detained illegally by Russia. Paul Whelan, a former US Marine, has been detained in Russia since 2018 after being convicted of espionage. He himself has denied the allegation.
