Brittney Griner trial - live: Wife describes ‘gut-wrenching time’ in rally with Al Sharpton

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WNBA Star Brittney Griner's Supporters Rally For Her Release

More than four months after her arrest in Moscow, US women’s basketball star Brittney Griner has returned to court for the continuation of her trial for drug charges.

The two-time Olympian was led into court at Khimki City in handcuffs, clutching a photo of her wife Cherelle. She was joined by her lawyers and US embassy staff. Only a few journalists are permitted in court.

The charges against her include intentionally transporting narcotics. Facing up to 10 years in prison in Russia, Griner pleaded guilty but added there was no intent to break the law and she had packed in a hurry. She is hoping for leniency from the court.

Griner will give testimony later with the next court hearing scheduled for 14 July. Elizabeth Rood of the US Embassy was able to speak with her in court and share with her a letter from President Joe Biden.

A centre for the Phoenix Mercury, Griner had played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the WNBA off-season, Griner was arrested when Russian airport security say they found vape cartridges containing hash oil in her luggage.

Russian officials have said Griner can seek clemency or appeal after any verdict is handed down.

Key points

• Griner pleads guilty, could face 10 years in jail
• Lawyers counting on ‘leniency of Russian court'
• Biden and Harris speak with Brittney’s wife Cherelle
• Former US envoy to Russia supports idea of Brittney Griner prisoner swap deal
• Russian foreign ministry says Griner may appeal or ask for clemency after verdict
• What’s next after WNBA star pleads guilty in Russia?

[7 July 2022 19:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Why is two-time Olympian Brittney Griner detained in Russia?

WNBA star Brittney Griner, 31, has been detained in Russia since February after drugs were allegedly found in her luggage by officials at a Moscow airport.

Her detainment occurred shortly before Russia launched its war in Ukraine, with geopolitical tensions making it undoubtedly more difficult to secure her release.

Graig Graziosi recaps what has happened so far.

[7 July 2022 20:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Legal experts weigh in on guilty plea strategy

Law & Crime Network’s legal analysts weigh in on Brittney Griner’s strategy of pleading guilty and whether it could shorten the trial.

Given the opaqueness of the Russian legal system and the geopolitical climate, the panel is not confident and is unclear whether a guilty plea will impact the overall outcome.

Watch below:

[7 July 2022 20:17 · Oliver O'Connell]

Megan Rapinoe wear tribute to Griner at Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony

Megan Rapinoe wore a powerful tribute to WNBA star Brittney Griner while attending the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony this week where she received the nation’s highest civilian honour.

On Thursday, the professional soccer player, 37, and 16 others were presented with the award by President Joe Biden.

Ahead of the ceremony, Rapinoe revealed on her Instagram story that she’d chosen a cream suit jacket with the basketball player’s initials and a flower sewn into the lapel.

Chelsea Rischel reports.

[7 July 2022 21:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

What has Russia said about the arrest of Brittney Griner?

Russia has defended the arrest of US women’s basketball star Brittney Griner, pushing back on claims by the Biden administration that her detention in the country is “illegal”.

In a statement, Russian authorities said 31-year-old Ms Griner was detained by Moscow police in February based on “objective facts and evidence”.

“She was caught red-handed while trying to smuggle hash oil,” the statement, issued by Rusia’s foreign ministry to CNN, said. “In Russia, this is a crime.”

[7 July 2022 21:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

ICYMI: Mercury hold public rally in support of Brittney Griner

They shared laughs, smiles, memories. There also were tears, fears, unease.

Through the range of emotions, one common thread bonded them together: Brittney Griner.

Wearing “BG” shirts and holding signs, several hundred fans gathered for a public rally in support of Griner on Wednesday, hoping their sentiments would reach the WNBA player 6,000 miles away in a Russian jail cell.

[7 July 2022 22:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

Griner ‘only playing’ in Russia due to gender pay gap, says US teammates

Basketball star Brittney Griner - who appeared in a court in Moscow this week - was only playing in Russia because of the low wages paid to women athletes in the US, which her friends and colleagues say make it tough to make a living.

Griner, 31, who was brought to a court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki in handcuffs, has been charged with drug smuggling after she was arrested at an airport allegedly carrying cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to ten years in jail if convicted.

Her supporters say she is the victim of wrongful arrest and have called on President Joe Biden and others to press for her release. She was detained one week before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Her wife, Cherelle Griner, told CNN she’s struggled to keep her composure, while urging the US authorities to do more.

Andrew Buncombe has more.

[7 July 2022 22:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

Everything we know about the Russian prison where Brittney Griner is being held

The New York Times reported on Thursday that Ms Griner is in the Correctional Colony No. 1 outside of Moscow, a former orphanage rebuilt a decade ago to serve as a prison for women awaiting trial and women serving their sentences. The Russian government has not confirmed Ms Griner’s whereabouts.

The Times reported that the facility is artifically lit, with “gray painted halls and grim tall walls” and that Ms Griner is also not the only foreign national held at the facility known as IK-1 for drug possession in recent years.

Read on:

[7 July 2022 23:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

ICYMI: Griner writes heartfelt letter to Biden pleading for help

WNBA player Brittney Griner has written a letter to President Joe Biden pleading for help in freeing her from jail in Russia.

Ms Griner was detained in February by Russian authorities after customs officials allegedly found cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

In excerpts shared by her representatives, she writes: “As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

[8 July 2022 00:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

ICYMI: Griner’s wife calls out lack of Biden action to free WNBA star from Russia detention

Brittney Griner’s wife Cherelle has said she finds it “very disheartening” that she still has not heard back from the White House after the WNBA star sent a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden.

Ms Griner appealed directly to the president to help her efforts to win freedom from detention in Russia on alleged drug charges involving hashish oil.

Her family has had no success in contacting the president regarding the issue, which led the Phoenix Mercury centre to write to Mr Biden in person.

[8 July 2022 01:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

White House insists Brittney Griner a ‘priority’

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday said the case of WNBA star and US olympian Brittney Griner’s continued detention in Russia is “a priority” for President Joe Biden and his administration after a letter from the basketball player to Mr Biden was made public by Ms Griner’s family.

“This is an issue that is a priority for this President,” said Ms Jean-Pierre, who noted that the US has classified Ms Griner as being “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government.

Andrew Feinberg reports.