According to ESPN, the move to keep the WNBA star behind bars is a procedural move that was expected and should have little effect on negotiations for her release.
The sports news outlet says Russian state news agency TASS reports that Griner’s next hearing will be July 2, but U.S. officials have said they do not consider the legal proceedings to be more than an effort to provide legitimate cover to a negotiation tactic. Both U.S. officials and sources close to Griner have
reportedly said they expect Russian courts to keep extending her detention until a deal is reached for her release.