US basketball star Brittney Griner is hoping to return home from Russia where she is standing trial on charges of drug smuggling, her lawyer said on Tuesday, amid talk of a prisoner exchange with Washington.
Griner, twice an Olympic basketball gold medallist and Women's NBA champion who had played in Russia, was detained in February, only days before Moscow launched its military intervention in Ukraine.
The athlete, 31, was charged with drug smuggling for possessing vape cartridges allegedly containing cannabis oil and is on trial in Khimki, outside Moscow.
Griner appeared in court on Tuesday wearing a khaki T-shirt, looking down as she walked in and was placed in a defendants' cage, an AFP journalist reported.
She remained solemn as two narcotics experts gave evidence at the hearing.
"Of course, she heard the news so she is hoping that sometime she could be coming home, and we hope so too," one of Griner's lawyers, Maria Blagovolina, told reporters.
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Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP -
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP -
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP -
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP -
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters -
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP -
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives -
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP -
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA -
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP -
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA -
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters -
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP -
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP -
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP -
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters -
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Ms Blagovolina said Griner's legal team was "not involved in any of the negotiations" on a possible prisoner swap. But she said Griner would be eligible for an exchange after a verdict that "will be very soon".
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a call last week with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Mr Blinken said he had "pressed the Kremlin" to accept a proposal from Washington for the release of Griner and Paul Whelan, a US citizen jailed in Russia on espionage charges.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said Russia's response was in "bad faith" and was not being taken seriously by American officials.
Griner was detained when she came to Russia to play club basketball with UMMC Ekaterinburg during the US off-season — a common path for American stars seeking additional income.
At a previous hearing, Griner said she did not intend to break the law or use the banned substance in Russia.
Griner has pleaded guilty and faces up to 10 years in prison.
The next hearing will take place on Thursday.
