Source: Tim Clayton – Corbis / Getty

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is scheduled to appear in court on May 19, and the upcoming case could determine her fate in Russia. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is currently being held on drug charges in the war-torn country and if convicted, she could face up to 10 years in a Russian prison.

Legal experts say that investigators may request to extend the basketball player’s time in detention in order to gather more evidence, while others speculate that Russian officials will formally bring charges against the 31-year-old. Back in March, Russian authorities opened up a criminal case against Griner stemming from her arrest at Sheremetyevo Airport in late February. As previously reported, the WNBA player was detained after the Russian Customs Service found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner’s defense team will have the opportunity to object or request additional evidence in the case during May’s court appearance, according to Yahoo Sports. An official trial will be scheduled after.

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Questions still loom around how the case process will proceed. In fact, U.S. authorities haven’t issued any further details about Griner’s status since an official from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was granted consular access to the Houston native back in March. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price claimed that the WNBA star was “in good condition” at the time. “We will continue to work very closely with her legal team, with her broader network, to see to it that she is treated fairly,” he added.

AP News reported that officials stateside are watching Griner’s case carefully but haven’t provided more details to the public because she hasn’t signed a full Privacy Act Waiver, which prohibits the U.S. Consular Office from releasing any information on the ball player’s situation unless she gives written consent. Right now, the U.S. government has its hands tied in terms of helping Griner end her criminal prosecution in Russia because of strict diplomatic policies, especially as Russia continues to rage war against Ukraine, and as the U.S. continues to place sanctions upon the country.

Source: Questions Still Loom About Brittney Griner’s Upcoming Trial