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Griner ahead of Monday's hearing
Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
US basketball player Brittney Griner must remain in a Russian prison at least until shortly before Christmas.
As reported by the Russian state news agency Tass, citing a Moscow court, the 31-year-old's pre-trial detention was extended until December 20.
Trial begins July 1st
More than four months after Griner's arrest on charges of drug possession at Moscow Airport, the competent court had set the trial against the athlete to begin on July 1, according to Tass.
After that, the court also ordered that the 31-year-old must remain in custody for the duration of the proceedings.
On Monday, Griner appeared for the first time for a preliminary hearing before the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki.
The hearing took place behind closed doors.
The American faces up to ten years in prison.
The case comes at a time when US-Russia relations are at an all-time low over Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
According to media reports, Russia insisted on a prisoner exchange
The American threatens to become a pawn in Russian foreign policy.
Experts suspect that Griner could be used as a means of pressure, for example in the event of further US sanctions against Russia.
The Russian media also repeatedly read that Russia had sought a prisoner exchange, allegedly in order to free arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is serving a prison sentence in the USA.
It is unlikely that the US government will agree to such a deal.
Griner was arrested on February 17 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on charges of drug possession.
Hash oil, which is legal in her hometown of Phoenix, is said to have been found in her luggage.
The two-time Olympic champion is active in the US professional league WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury team.
Griner is one of the best basketball players in the world.
Since 2014 she has played for the Russian club UGMK Yekaterinburg during the off-season.
Griner was on her way to her second club when she was arrested.
The case has caused dismay in the United States, also because Griner's supporters believe the US government is not doing enough to help the basketball player.
The next faux pas only happened last week.
Actually, a phone call between Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle Griner was scheduled.
According to her lawyer, Brittney Griner called the US embassy 11 times from prison, from where she was supposed to be put through to her wife.
At the weekend, however, no one was on the phone in the embassy to pick up the phone.
kjo/dpa/sid