Griner, 31, a Phoenix Mercury player who plays in Russia during the low season of the WNBA, was arrested Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport.
Russian authorities accused her of smuggling large quantities of a narcotic substance, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Griner is currently being held in a pre-trial detention center north of Moscow. His detention has been extended for six months pending the outcome of the trial, according to his lawyer.
Earlier this week, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated that Griner is “unjustly detained, unjustly detained and we have made this clear as an official determination of the U.S. government.”
No verdict is expected on the first day of his trial, which takes place in the Khimki city court, outside the Russian capital. U.S. Embassy Affairs Officer Elizabeth Rood also arrived in court Friday for Griner’s hearing.
Griner’s supporters have expressed concern that the basketball star could be used as a political pawn, given rising tensions amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His arrest, which has been repeatedly expanded, has sparked a wave of support among dozens of U.S. organizations that have joined Griner’s wife, Cherelle, in urging President Joe Biden to reach an agreement. ‘exchange with the Russian authorities to release Griner and take her home. safely as soon as possible.
Speaking to Air Force One reporters earlier this week, Sullivan declined to detail U.S. efforts to resolve the Griner case, citing the “delicate issue,” but maintained that the Biden’s administration is “actively engaged.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the case has no political motivations when CNN asked him about Griner in a conference call with reporters on Friday.
Although the Kremlin cannot rule on the course of the trial, Peskov said, he stressed that Griner was arrested after carrying “illegal drugs containing narcotics,” which is punishable by Russian law.
“From what I said, his arrest cannot have political motivations,” Peskov added.
Griner was named an honorary holder of the WNBA All-Star Game last week, with the All-Star Game scheduled to take place on July 10 in Chicago. His arrest is still “tough for our team,” Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard told reporters ahead of Monday’s team game against Indiana Fever.
He expressed hope that Griner would return home soon and that President Biden would “take steps to make sure he returned home.”