Brittney Griner

The WNBA star has been in Russian detention since February and the U.S. says she is wrongfully detained.

The U.S. has said Griner is being “wrongfully detained” and her arrest coincided with a breakdown in relations with the Kremlin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia has insisted she broke the law and is being prosecuted as such. Griner, who hadn’t spoken to her wife Cherelle Griner since her arrest, was scheduled to speak with Cherelle last week for the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary but was unable to connect the call due to a staffing issue at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told NBC News last week Griner isn’t a “hostage.” The WNBA named Griner an honorary All-Star starter last week.

The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the United States' most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on ...

But the discrepancy between Griner’s case — she allegedly was found in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil — and Bout’s global dealings in deadly weapons could make such a swap unpalatable to the U.S. Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned. At Monday’s closed-door preliminary hearing at the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, Griner’s detention was extended for another six months. The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist also was ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial. Photos obtained by The Associated Press showed the 31-year-old in handcuffs and looking straight ahead, unlike a previous court appearance where she kept her head down and covered with a hood. MOSCOW (AP) — Shackled and looking wary, WNBA star Brittney Griner was ordered to stand trial Friday by a court near Moscow on cannabis possession charges, about 4 1/2 months after her arrest at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been held in detention on a drug charge since Feb. 17.

Detained in Moscow: The U.S. government is now characterizing Brittney Griner’s arrest in Russia as a “wrongful detainment” and her detention has been extended. Russian news media has speculated that she could be exchanged for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death,” who is serving a 25-year sentence on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization. Profile: Chiney Ogwumike is on a tireless quest to have it all. The U.S. State Department has categorized Griner as “wrongfully detained,” a strategy shift that indicated it would no longer wait for the case to proceed through the Russian legal system and would take more aggressive steps to negotiate her release. League growth strategy: As the WNBA looks to expand, players are hoping for owners who want to spend. Because that’s a much bigger ask than to catch a Saturday call.”

Brittney Griner appeared at a preliminary hearing in Moscow on Monday more than three months after the WNBA star was detained in Russia.

"So if they're holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it." Former Marine Paul Whelan has also been detained in Russia since 2019. Brittney Griner should not be detained. "I just keep hearing that, you know, he has the power. "Our position for some time on this has been very clear. Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, told the AP that she has "zero trust" in the U.S. government after its handling of her wife's detention.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was seen in handcuffs in Russian court, where her detention was extended another six months. Her trial begins on July 1.

As the Associated Press notes, fewer than one percent of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted. On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had “no higher priority than making sure that Americans who are being illegally detained in one way or another around the world come home” without providing details on Griner’s case. But attorney Maria Yarmush — an expert in foreign citizens’ ordeals in Russian courts — told the Kremlin-funded channel RT that any such deal would require Griner to be convicted and sentenced and to apply for a presidential pardon.

The start date for WNBA star Brittney Griner's trial in Moscow has been set for July 1, more than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for ...

“We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas,” a State Department spokesperson said when asked about Griner’s court appearance and the announcement of her July 1 trial date. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted and acquittals can be overturned, according to The Associated Press. The date was revealed Monday after Griner, 31, appeared in a Moscow court for a preliminary hearing ahead of trial. We will continue to press for her release.” Her absence was marked by the WNBA, which honored her by placing her initials and number, 42, on all 12 arena courts for the 2022 season. Griner could be seen being escorted by police down a corridor of the Khimki City Court in visuals captured by The Associated Press.

Griner was detained in February after authorities said she had vape cartridges containing hashish oil.

Jackson calling for the court to revisit landmark rulings protecting same-sex relationships, marriage equality and access to contraceptives. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday said she's preparing votes on a number of bills protecting abortion as well as codifying landmark Supreme Court decisions as a response to the court overturning Roe v. Driving the news: Griner's court appearance in the Moscow suburb of Khimki was set to address procedural issues ahead of her trial, which on Monday was scheduled to begin July 1, per AP.

A Russian court set Friday as the start date for the trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner for alleged cannabis possession.

"As a general proposition ... I have got no higher priority than making sure that Americans who are being illegally detained in one way or another around the world come home," he said. There is no reason to believe that the charges are legitimate or that her trial will be fair. Hostage diplomacy cases rely on the pretense of law. Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned. Photos obtained by the AP showed her appearing in handcuffs. The Phoenix Mercury star was also ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial.

The Houston native was arrested in Russia in mid-February, and her trial starts Friday. State department officials say Griner was “wrongfully detained.”

When asked about the likelihood of such an exchange at a May press briefing, a U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment, saying, “I’m not going to get into — I’m not going to entertain that.” The Russian news agency TASS has hinted that the U.S. and Russia could reach a deal to exchange Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S. for agreeing to sell arms to a Colombian terrorist group. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the release of the WNBA player is a “priority” but has not shared details as to how that might happen. Blinken also said he was in contact with Cherelle Griner, who has told the Associated Press she is not confident that the Biden administration is making her wife’s case a priority. Griner’s detention comes amid U.S. efforts to support Ukraine in that country’s continued invasion by Russia, and her supporters have expressed fear that Griner is being used as a political pawn. The detention of Brittney Griner, the WNBA professional basketball player from Houston who was arrested in Russia more than four months ago, has been extended by six months pending the outcome of her trial, her lawyer told CNN on Monday.

The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist also was ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial.

The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist also was ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial. But the discrepancy between Griner’s case — she allegedly was found in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil — and Bout’s global dealings in deadly weapons could make such a swap unpalatable to the U.S. At Monday’s closed-door preliminary hearing at the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, Griner’s detention was extended for another six months. Fewer than 1 percent of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned. The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist also was ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial. Amid the tensions, Griner’s supporters had taken a low profile in hopes of a quiet resolution, until May, when the State Department reclassified her as wrongfully detained and shifted oversight of her case to its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs — effectively the U.S. government’s chief negotiator.

Updated June 27, 2022 at 1:03 PM ET. MOSCOW — Brittney Griner briefly appeared in public Monday, and moved one step closer to facing trial on drug charges ...

Griner's precarious situation has raised a number of concerns in the U.S. — including worries that publicizing her case and issuing loud calls for her release might only make her more valuable to Russia as a pawn. She's being held as a hostage, the U.S. said. Like many WNBA players, Griner plays in overseas leagues during the U.S. league's offseason, earning far more than her WNBA salary. No U.S. Embassy officials were present for Monday's hearing. "Not more than that." The next hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 1, Griner's lawyer, Alexander Boikov, said. A representative for the U.S. Embassy told NPR that it was informed the session was a "closed administrative meeting" and Embassy staff would not be allowed to attend. The Phoenix Mercury and U.S. Olympic team star was bracketed by four security officers and a dog as she was led down a stairwell to a courtroom for Monday's hearing — a process that was repeated in reverse less than an hour later, as Griner was returned to detention. And 40 min later the preliminary hearing is over. No date set. The news emerged from a preliminary court session that was closed to the public — but journalists did get a rare glimpse of Griner as the WNBA center walked through a hallway in the courthouse. MOSCOW — Brittney Griner briefly appeared in public Monday, and moved one step closer to facing trial on drug charges in Russia. In a short court proceeding, a judge ordered Griner to be detained for the length of her trial, Griner's legal team told NPR.

A Russian court has again extended the arrest of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner. Her trial on drug charges starts July 1.

In a recent appearance on CNN's "State Of The Union" with journalist Jake Tapper, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested the White House did not rule out a potential prisoner swap for Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, much like a trade that freed former Marine Trevor Reed from a Russian jail earlier this year. ANTONY BLINKEN: As a general proposition, Jake, I've got no higher priority than making sure that Americans who are being illegally detained in one way or another around the world come home. It was the prolongation of the arrest, not more than that. That's more than four months after she was detained at a Moscow airport upon arriving to play offseason in a Russian basketball league. Russian officials allege the two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star was carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, a potential drug smuggling violation for which she faces up to 10 years in prison. NPR's Charles Maynes was at the courthouse today, and he has our story.

A Russian court has again extended the arrest of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner. Her trial on drug charges starts July 1.

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Two weekends ago, Griner - who's been detained in Russia since February - was supposed to have contact with her wife on the date of their wedding ...

“That’s a person. However, the call never made it through. It's been a troubling week of news regarding the Brittney Griner situation.

EUROPE — As Brittney Griner's detention in Russia lingers on, more people are banding together to get her released. More than 40 minority organizations ...

“President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. “The U.S. Government has acknowledged that Brittney is essentially a political pawn in classifying her as wrongfully detained. “She has been named an All-Star seven times prior and was named to the WNBA’s 25th anniversary team last year as one of its 25 greatest players. “#WeAreNotThe144WithoutBG,” the WNBPA tweeted. "This month our nation honors America’s diverse journey towards freedom, equality and justice for all with the observation of the Juneteenth Federal holiday, the 50th anniversary of landmark Title IX legislation and LGBTQ+ Pride,” the letter reads. EUROPE — As Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia lingers on, more people are banding together to get her released.

US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside. Kirill Kudrayavtsev/AFP via Getty Images. WNBA star ...

After Monday’s hearing, a State Department spokesperson said, per the Post: “We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. A Russian citizen, arrested in Thailand, extradited to the U.S. and sent to prison for something he was attempting to do in Colombia, a country where U.S.-backed death squads wiped out “social workers, trade unionists, men and women who are not supportive of the establishment, and who are assumed to be communist extremists”? We can at least agree the United States’ position a global moral arbiter is not tenable. But last week, Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner told the Associated Press that she’s losing faith in the government’s dedication to helping her wife get free. At the least, it complicates the popular narrative of Bout as an evil mastermind, painting him instead as a greedy opportunist who operated for many years under the tacit permission of the U.S. government. Bout was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 after having agreed to sell arms to undercover American agents posing as members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which the U.S. government—itself long engaged in destabilizing and violently overthrowing left-wing governments in Central and South America—had deemed a terrorist organization. Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death,” […] is serving a 25-year sentence on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization. “Negotiations were serious and lasted several months, but we do not know what, if any, parts of the deal he offered were accepted.” A slightly closer reading of how Bout operated and what exactly he’s accused of, however, might improve the “palatability” of this prisoner swap. Speaking to the Washington Post, for example, Brian Whitmore, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Arlington, “characterized Griner’s detainment as ‘a hostage situation’ and her trial as an exercise in ‘political theater’ designed to pressure the U.S. government into a prisoner swap.” Indeed, this is more or less routine in cases of wrongful detainment. Those with expertise in dealing with the labyrinth of wrongful detainment agree that prisoner swaps are often the only, and certainly one of the fastest, ways to get a person released. For example, American news media has been repeating that Bout sold weapons to warlords and other terrorist groups. But the discrepancy between Griner’s case — she allegedly was found in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil — and Bout’s global dealings in deadly weapons could make such a swap unpalatable to the U.S.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House has passed a resolution calling for the immediate release of WNBA star and Houston native Brittney Griner, whom the U.S....

“The United States government is actively engaged in trying to resolve this case and get Brittney home,” Sullivan said. “I will keep working with the Biden Administration to do all we can to bring home every American detained abroad.” It also expresses support for former Marine Paul Whelan and “all prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation.” Russian authorities said a search of her luggage at the airport revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing hashish oil, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sullivan said the Biden administration is actively working to find a solution, and will continue to do so “without rest” until Griner is back in the U.S. The House of Representatives has passed Congressman Greg Stanton’s bipartisan resolution.