WNBA star and Olympic gold medallist Brittney Griner has had her pre-trial detention in Russia prolonged by one month.
Her lawyer Alexander Boykov stated over the weekend he thinks the comparatively brief extension indicated that Griner’s case would go to trial quickly.
The 31-year-old American athlete has been in custody for practically three months after she was detained at a Moscow airport in February.
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Vape cartridges containing oil derived from hashish had been allegedly present in her baggage.
She faces drug smuggling costs that carry a most penalty of 10 years in jail.
The Phoenix Mercury star appeared for the transient listening to at a court docket exterior Moscow sporting an orange hoodie and holding her face down.
She didn’t specific “any complaints about the detention conditions”, Boykov stated.
The Biden administration says Griner is being wrongfully detained as the WNBA and US officers work towards her launch with out seen progress.
“Today’s news on Brittney Griner was not unexpected, and the WNBA continues to work with the US government to get BG home safely and as soon as possible,” the WNBA stated.
Russian officers have described Griner’s case as a legal offence with out making any political associations. However Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine has introduced US-Russia relations to the bottom stage for the reason that Chilly Conflict.
There’s a perception that Russian officers could think about Griner somebody who may determine in a prisoner trade.
America’s State Division final week stated it now regards Griner as wrongfully detained, a change in classification that implies the US authorities shall be extra energetic in making an attempt to safe her launch.
Cambage accused of disgraceful slur
Final week Aussie basketball expertise Liz Cambage shared a cryptic message to the Opals as long-time adversary Andrew Bogut shed new mild on the WNBA star’s feud with Australian basketball.
Former nationwide group captain Jenna O’Hea confirmed claims that Cambage advised her Nigerian opponents to “go back to your third-world country” in a warm-up recreation earlier than the Tokyo Olympics.
The WNBA All-Star was investigated and issued a proper reprimand – however not suspended or fined – earlier than withdrawing from the occasion citing psychological well being issues.
She has since declared she’s going to by no means once more play for the Opals.
The specifics of Cambage’s on-court actions had remained a thriller till Sunday.
Talking on the ABC’s Offsiders, retired Opals nice O’Hea confirmed host Kelli Underwood’s declare that Cambage “turned to them (Nigerian players) and said ‘go back to your third-world country’,” and that they hadn’t spoken since.
“That is all one hundred per cent correct,” O’Hea stated.
Cambage tweeted a brief response from the US in a single day with out immediately addressing the state of affairs.
“The truth will always come to light, and it ain’t even dawn yet,” she wrote.
Bogut believes Cambage doesn’t want to talk publicly on the difficulty.
“I’m sure it’s someone else’s fault as to why she said it, so no,” he advised 2GB on Monday.
The NBA champion turned Sydney Kings co-owner is adamant the complete story is but to be advised.
“You just got the PG version. There was much more than that. But look, I’m happy someone’s finally came out and said it,” Bogut stated.
“It is beyond despicable what was said. I believe if it was anyone else we’d hear much more about it.
“There’s much more in there that you can’t say on radio. People can figure that out. There were some other words used that I would never repeat, that I’d never even say, to be honest with you.”
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