Brittney Griner back in Russian court as fear of conviction looms

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The drug smuggling trial involving two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star Brittney Griner will resume Thursday amid claims by Russian officials that Griner may appeal her sentence or ask for clemency, a possible foreshadowing of what’s to come for the American basketball player. 

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said during a news briefing Wednesday that Griner will have the ability to appeal her verdict once the ruling is in and disputed claims made by the U.S. that the Phoenix Mercury star was wrongfully detained Feb. 17. 

WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner, center, arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court outside Moscow July 1, 2022. (Krill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

"The court must first deliver its verdict, but no one is stopping Brittney Griner from making use of the appeal procedure and also from requesting clemency," a spokesperson for the ministry said, according to The New York Times. 

The spokesperson added that there was "indisputable evidence" to support the government’s case and that "attempts to present her case as though the American woman was illegally detained do not stand up to criticism."

BIDEN REASSURES BRITTNEY GRINER’S WIFE US IS WORKING TO SECURE HER RELEASE FROM RUSSIA ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’ 

But talk of an appeal or request for clemency just two days into Griner’s trial and months into her detention seems to suggest a grim outcome. 

"The decision regarding Ms. Griner has likely been made, and she will almost certainly be convicted," former U.S. intel officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox News Digital. "Russian intelligence services have a very nuanced understanding of U.S. domestic politics, which they seek to