KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — The drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner in a Russian courtroom targeted Tuesday on testimony that hashish, whereas unlawful in Russia, is regarded in different nations as having authentic medicinal use.
Griner has acknowledged that she was carrying vape canisters containing hashish oil when she was arrested in February at a Moscow airport, however she contends that she had no prison intent and that the canisters ended up in her baggage inadvertently due to hasty packing.
“We're not arguing that Brittney took it right here as a medication. We're nonetheless saying that she involuntarily introduced it right here as a result of she was in a rush,” protection legal professional Alexander Boykov mentioned after the session by which a Russian neuropsychologist testified about worldwide use of medicinal hashish.
“The Russian public has to know, and the Russian courtroom within the first place has to know, that it was not used for leisure functions in america. It was prescribed by a health care provider,” he mentioned.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who performs for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, faces as much as 10 years in jail if convicted. The medical testimony and Griner’s admission that she had the canisters is aimed toward bringing her a light sentence.
“We now have plenty of mitigating components. So we do hope that the courtroom will take it into consideration. And the courts in Russia, in reality, have very broad discretion with regard to the sentence,” mentioned Maria Blagovolina, one other of Griner’s attorneys.
The trial of the two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Mercury standout started July 1 however solely 5 periods have been held, some them lasting solely about an hour.
The slow-moving trial and Griner’s 5 months of detention have raised robust criticism amongst teammates and supporters in america, which has formally declared her to be “wrongfully detained,” a designation sharply rejected by Russian officers.
Elizabeth Rood, the U.S. Embassy’s cost d’affaires, attended Tuesday’s courtroom session. Griner “confirms that she is doing okay and in addition to will be anticipated underneath these circumstances,” she advised reporters.
Griner was arrested in February amid excessive U.S.-Moscow tensions forward of Russia sending troops into Ukraine later that month. Some supporters contend she is being held in Russia as a pawn, presumably for a prisoner swap. American soccer notable Megan Rapinoe final week mentioned “she’s being held as a political prisoner, clearly.”
The Russian Overseas Ministry final week lashed out on the U.S. competition that Griner is being wrongfully detained and mentioned Russian legal guidelines ought to be revered.
“If a U.S. citizen was taken in reference to the truth that she was smuggling medication, and he or she doesn't deny this, then this ought to be commensurate with our Russian native legal guidelines, and never with these adopted in San Francisco, New York and Washington,” spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned.
“If medication are legalized in america, in various states, and that is finished for a very long time and now the entire nation will grow to be drug-addicted, this doesn't imply that each one different nations are following the identical path,” she added.
Russian media have speculated that Griner might be exchanged for distinguished Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who's imprisoned in america, and that Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, may determine in an change.
U.S. officers haven't commented on the prospects for such a commerce. Russian officers have mentioned no change might be mentioned till the conclusion of the authorized proceedings towards Griner. It's unclear how lengthy the trial will final, however a courtroom has licensed Griner’s detention till Dec. 20.
Earlier trial periods have included character-witness testimony from the director and captain of the Russian group that Griner performed for within the low season, together with written testimony together with a health care provider’s letter saying he had licensed her to make use of hashish for ache therapy.
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