WNBA star Griner ordered to stand trial Friday in Russia on cannabis charges, months after arrest

WNBA star Brittney Griner was ordered Monday in Russia to stand trial later this week on charges of cannabis possession,  about 4 1/2 months after her arrest at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team.

The 31-year-old Griener will stand trial Friday in a court near Moscow, according to the Associated Press. She appeared in handcuffs at the closed-door hearing in which she was ordered to stand trial. 

The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist will remain in custody until the trial. She faces as long as 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, the wire service also reports.