WNBA star Brittney Griner again in Russian court docket as trial resumes

KHIMKI, Russia — A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial in Russia on Friday gave the court docket a U.S. physician’s letter recommending she use medical hashish to deal with ache.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officers mentioned they discovered vape canisters containing hashish oil in her baggage. She faces as much as 10 years in jail if convicted on costs of transporting medicine.

In court docket final week, Griner pleaded responsible and acknowledged possessing the canisters however mentioned she had no legal intent and mentioned they have been in her baggage as a result of she packed swiftly in her return to Russia to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball crew through the WNBA’s offseason.

In Russia’s judicial system, admitting guilt does not robotically finish a trial. Since that plea, her court docket periods have targeted on in-person and written testimony to her good character and athletic prowess.

“The attending doctor gave Brittney suggestions for using medical hashish,” mentioned her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina. “The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Division of Well being.”

The protection on Friday additionally submitted exams she underwent as a part of an anti-doping verify, which did not detect any prohibited substances in her system.

The subsequent listening to of Griner’s case was scheduled for July 26.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have mentioned they’re doing all they might to win her launch, in addition to that of different People the U.S. considers “wrongly detained” by Russia, together with former Marine Paul Whelan, who’s serving 16 years on an espionage conviction.

Washington might have little leverage with Moscow, although, due to robust animosity over its navy operation in Ukraine.

“Within the hearings yesterday and at the moment what grew to become very clear is the large quantity of respect and admiration each in the US and right here in Russia the place Miss Griner has been taking part in basketball for seven years, not just for her skilled achievements however for her character and integrity,” U.S. Embassy cost d’affaires Elizabeth Rood mentioned exterior the courthouse within the Moscow suburb of Khimki, the place the airport is positioned.

The director and crew captain of UMMC Ekaterinburg testified on her behalf on Thursday.

Russian media have speculated that Griner could possibly be swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed “the Service provider of Dying,” who’s serving a 25-year sentence within the U.S. after being convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. residents and offering assist to a terrorist group.

Russia has agitated for Bout’s launch for years. However the vast discrepancy within the seriousness of their circumstances may make such a commerce unpalatable to Washington. Others have prompt that Griner could possibly be traded together with Whelan, who’s serving 16 years in Russia on an espionage conviction that the U.S. has described as a setup.

The State Division’s designation of Griner as wrongfully detained strikes her case underneath the supervision of its particular presidential envoy for hostage affairs, successfully the federal government’s chief hostage negotiator. The classification has irritated Russia.

Requested about the potential for Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed within the U.S., Deputy International Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, has famous that till her trial is over “there are not any formal or procedural causes to speak about any additional steps.”

Ryabkov warned that U.S. criticism, together with the outline of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive feedback concerning the Russian judicial system, “makes it tough to interact in detailed dialogue of any doable exchanges.”

Griner’s detention has been approved by means of Dec. 20, suggesting the trial may final months. Griner’s legal professionals, nevertheless, mentioned they anticipate it to conclude across the starting of August.