US basketball star Brittney Griner appears in Russian court on drug smuggling charges
CNN
The two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner went on trial at a court near Moscow on Friday, on drug smuggling charges which can be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Griner, 31, a Phoenix Mercury player who plays in Russia during the WNBA's off season, was arrested February 17 at a Moscow airport, a week before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Griner's supporters and US officials say she is wrongfully detained and have called for her release as fears mount that she is being used as a political pawn amid rising tensions between Russia and the US.
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