Russian prosecutors call first witnesses in case against Brittney Griner

[TheProle]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by lapucelle (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: NPR

KHIMKI, RUSSIA — The trial for Brittney Griner, a WNBA star who has been detained in Russia for more than four months on drug charges, began Friday with prosecutors sharing new details about the case.

U.S. Embassy officials are on hand for the trial. Press access is tightly controlled, but a crowd of journalists crammed together to catch a glimpse of Griner, in handcuffs and a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt, being escorted by guards into the courtroom at Khimki City Court, just outside of Moscow.

During Friday's hearing, Griner was not asked to declare her innocence or guilt. That phase of the legal process will come later.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2022/07/01/1109272785/brittney-griner-trial-russia-prison-jail-wnba-basketball-detained

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I suspect this is a Show Trial

a la the 1950s where the outcome is already determined. Then use it to bargain with the West.

[iluvtennis]

2. Yes, one of the legal talking heads on ESPN mentioned that in Russia, you are "Guilty when arrested"

She said it's not like the US where you are innocent until proven guilty. Because of the way the Russian "justice" system works, the legal eagle expects Brittney to be found guilty.

It's a fkn shame. Brittany Griner has been going to the same Russian city for 5 years now to play basketball and has won championships for them. She has never ever been detained.

Putin did this right when the NATO countries put sanctions on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.

[paleotn]

9. Do the Russians have any other?

The Russian judiciary, such as it's been over the centuries, is but an extension of the ruling dictatorship. The Russian people deserve better.

[Torchlight]

3. Guessing her 'trial' will be as fair and as just

as the Trotsky Terror Center trials in '36.

[Deminpenn]

4. She is obviously being held hostage

I'm sure the US is approaching her detention this way.

[smb]

5. I Thought Australia Was Part Of The Coalition Imposing Sanctions On Russia...

...so how did they get enough kangaroos to conduct a trial?

[Mosby]

7. Something is off here. nt.

[ZonkerHarris]

8. She is Putin's hostage. A human shield for Vlad and his buddies.

[lapucelle]

10. Locking

Host consensus is this OP doesn't meet the criteria in the SOP for this forum:

Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces.

The announcement of the trial was already posted in LBN. As the trial proceeds, please post updates and developments in the General Discussion forum.