Brittney Griner’s lawyer has revealed that her current pre-trial detention has been extended by one month. Back in February, the American basketball star was detained after authorities found hashish oil in her luggage. “As a US citizen was passing through the green channel at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arriving from New York, a working dog from the Sheremetyevo Customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage,” Russian customs officials said.
If the two-time Olympic gold medalist is found guilty, she could face up to 10 years in prison. For the last few months, Griner has been held in a detention centre in Khimki City, 14 miles northwest of downtown Moscow.
According to human rights group Public Monitoring Commission, she is sharing a cell with two other prisoners. In March, Russian state news agency TASS, revealed that a Moscow court “granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19.” However, a few days before the aforementioned date, Griner’s lawyer Alexander Boykov revealed troubling news regarding her detainment.
On 13 May, Griner attended a hearing in which a Russian court extended her detention by one month. Alongside the extension news, Boykov revealed that the court’s recent decision is an indication that Griner’s case will be headed to trial soon.