The US basketball player Brittney Griner has to stay in prison at least shortly before Christmas in Russia. As the state Russian news agency TASS reported, citing a Moscow court, the 31-year-old was extended until December 20.

On June 27, according to TASS, the responsible court had set the start of the negotiation against the athlete to July 1, according to Tass because of the allegation of drug ownership at Moscow Airport. After that, the court also ordered that Griner had to remain custody for the duration of the procedure.

WNBA

Griner was first published for a first pre-hearing before the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki. The hearing took place in the exclusion of the public. The American threatens up to ten years in prison. The case comes at a time at a time when the relationships between the United States and Russia are at a low point due to the Russian attack war in Ukraine.

On February 17, Griner was arrested at the Scheremetjewo Airport at Moscow Airport on February 17. The two-time Olympic champion and star player of the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury had recently been active in Russia.