Brittney Griner Pleads Not Guilty In Moscow Alleged Drug Trafficking Case

Britney Griner pled not guilty in a Russian court on Thursday and will remain in custody for AT LEAST another two months after they extended the arrest of the WNBA star, who's accused of bringing drugs into the country. Video was released showing the Phoenix Mercury center walking, presumably outside the Moscow-area courtroom, flanked by two female guards. The footage is the first we've seen of 31-year-old Griner since she was taken into custody weeks ago. Russian news agency TASS says the Moscow court granted more time to investigate the alleged crimes and "extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19. Griner has been in custody since February  after Russian customs officials claim they found hashish oil (vape cartridges) in her carry-on luggage at an airport. After her arrest, Russian officials said they opened up a drug trafficking investigation into Griner. Everyone from NBA and WNBA stars, actors and actresses, to Griner's wife has called on the country to release Griner to no avail. There are no words to express this pain," Griner's wife, Cherelle, said earlier this month. I'm hurtIng, we're hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family. Many fear Griner who has played pro basketball in Russia for years could be used as a bargaining chip against America as the west has levied very stiff sanctions against the country.

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