Sports
Brittney Griner Appears In Russian Court In Handcuffs – Video
WNBA Star Brittney Griner seen In Court In Handcuffs, Russia Extends Her Detention Again
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.
The next hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 1, Griner’s lawyer, Alexander Boikov, said. The trial will officially start that day, but it will begin with technical matters such as reading the indictment and reviewing case files, he added.
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.
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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.
Griner, who was handcuffed, did not respond to journalists’ questions. At one point she simply shook her head as she continued walking.
Griner, 31, has now been held in Russian custody for 130 days — an ordeal that began one week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Her detention repeatedly has been extended, and her request for home detention was denied.
No U.S. Embassy officials were present for Monday’s hearing. 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.
And 40 min later the preliminary hearing is over. No comment from Griner. Her Russian lawyer says the judge extended her detention for the length of her trial. No date set. Curiously, no US embassy officials present for the hearing. #BrittneyGriner pic.twitter.com/FSYprXjSgs
— Charles Maynes (@cwmiii3) June 27, 2022
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