American basketball star Brittney Griner is scheduled to stand trial in Russia on Friday on charges of illegal cannabis possession.
The 31-year-old, a three-time WNBA league champion and seven-time All-Star, could face 10 years in prison if convicted.
The trial date was decided at a brief hearing which the Phoenix Mercury player attended on Monday.
Her detention was also extended at least six months.
Griner was detained on 17 February at a Moscow-area airport after cannabis oil was allegedly found in her luggage.
The maximum prison sentence applies to “large-scale transportation of drugs.”
However, even if acquitted at the trial, the government in Russia has the authority to overturn any decision and still send Griner to prison.
Griner, affiliated to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), is considered one of the most dominant players in her sport’s history.
She travelled to Russia to play for EuroLeague team UMMC Ekaterinburg,…
