US basketball star Brittney Griner appears in Russian court on drug smuggling charges

By Frederik Pleitgen, Anna Chernova, Chris Liakos and Tara John, CNN

Updated 1355 GMT (2155 HKT) July 1, 2022

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(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. At the