Journalists gathered outside the courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Xhimki on Friday as the court convenes to hear the case against U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.  

Griner has been detained in a Russian prison since being charged with possession of cannabis after her arrest in March at the Sheremetyevo airport.  

Griner was led handcuffed into her trial, and said she is “keeping the faith.”

The Kremlin said on Friday the detention of Griner, and her potential maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted on drug charges in Russia, was not politically motivated.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that U.S. embassy officials attended the Friday trial, and that Griner’s return is top priority.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.