MOSCOW — The spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry lashed out Thursday at the United States characterizing basketball star Brittney Griner's jailing on drug charges as «wrongful detention,» saying it shows disrespect for Russian law.
Griner has been jailed since she was arrested in mid-February at a Moscow airport after vape canisters containing hashish oil were found in her luggage.
The Phoenix Mercury standout and two-time Olympic gold medalist acknowledged in court this month that she had the canisters but said she had no intent to break the law.
She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Her trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday. The State Department in May designated Griner as wrongfully detained, moving her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs — effectively, the government's chief hostage negotiator.