Brittney Griner trial date set in Russian system with 1% acquittal rate

• Basketball star accused of bringing drugs into Russia
• Speculation Olympic champion could be part of prisoner swap

More than four months after she was arrested at a Moscow airport for cannabis possession, a Russian court has set the start date of the criminal trial of US basketball star Brittney Griner for 1 July.

The Phoenix Mercury star was also ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial. She could spend 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the US, acquittals can be overturned.