A Lawyer for the WNBA Star Brittany Grinerwho is in jail Russia Charged with the drug, he was presented in court on Friday with a doctor’s letter recommending the use of cannabis to treat pain.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout grinner for the Phoenix Mercury Arrested In February, customs officials at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in his luggage.
He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of transporting drugs.
Griner admitted to placing the canisters in court last week, but said he had no criminal intent and claimed the canisters’ appearance was due to hasty packing. In Russia’s judicial system, a confession does not automatically end a trial.
Since guilty pleaHer court sessions have focused on personal and written evidence for her good character and athletic prowess.
“The attending physician gave Brittany recommendations for medical cannabis use. Permission was issued by the Arizona Department of Health,” said attorney Maria Blagovolina.
On Friday, the defense also submitted tests conducted as part of an anti-doping investigation that did not detect any banned substances in his system. The next hearing of Griner’s case was scheduled for July 26.
“What became very clear in yesterday’s and today’s hearings is a tremendous amount of respect and admiration, both in the United States and here in Russia, where Miss Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only for her professional achievements but also for her character. It is integrity,” said Elizabeth Rudd, in-charge of the US Embassy, outside the courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, where the airport is located.
The director and team captain of UMMC Ekaterinburg, for which Griner plays in the off-season, testified on his behalf on Thursday.
US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said they are doing everything possible to secure their release, as well as other Americans the US believes to be “wrongfully detained” by Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan. Including those who are serving 16 years. on charges of espionage.
However, because of the strong animosity over its military campaign in Ukraine, Washington may have little advantage with Moscow.
Russian media speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death”, who was convicted of conspiracy to kill American civilians and aiding a terrorist. After being convicted, he is serving a 25-year sentence in the US. organization.
Russia has been agitating for years for the release of the bout. But the wide discrepancy in the seriousness of their cases could make such trade unpleasant to Washington. Others have suggested that Griner may have been traded with Whelan, who has served 16 years in Russia, on an espionage charge that the US has described as a setup.
The State Department’s designation of Griner, wrongfully detained, effectively moved his case to the government’s chief hostage negotiator under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. The classification has troubled Russia.
When asked about the possibility of swapping Griner for a Russian jailed in the US, the senior Russian diplomat, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, said that until his trial is over, “no further steps will be taken”. There are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about it.”
Ryabkov warned that US criticism, including describing Griner’s wrongful detention and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, “makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any potential exchanges.” “
Griner’s custody has been authorized until December 20, suggesting the trial could last for months. However, Griner’s lawyers said they expect it to end in early August.
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