WNBA Star Brittney Griner may withstand 10-years in a Russian jail if convicted on the drug fees being introduced towards her.
AP
Brittney Griner returned on Tuesday to a Russian courtroom, the place attorneys for the WNBA star going through as much as 10 years on drug fees argued she used medical hashish to alleviate ache.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, pleaded responsible to drug possession fees and beforehand claimed to a choose she didn’t intend to interrupt the regulation when she was caught with 0.7 grams of hashish oil in her baggage whereas coming into Russia in February.
A drug abuse skilled referred to as to testify Tuesday by Griner’s attorneys argued medical hashish is extensively utilized by athletes the place the drug is authorized and ceaselessly had fewer unwanted side effects than different painkillers.
“With the prescription in place, Brittney might have used it for medical however not leisure functions,” Griner lawyer Maria Blagovolina mentioned.
The 31-year-old WNBA star appeared in courtroom Tuesday whereas carrying round-rimmed glasses and a “Black Lives for Peace” sweatshirt.
Griner, whom the US has declared to be “wrongfully detained,” has been jailed in Russia since her arrest.
Griner’s trial started on July 1 and he or she’s resulting from return to courtroom on Wednesday – when she could also be referred to as to testify in her personal protection.
It’s unclear how lengthy the trial will final, however Griner’s detention has been approved by a Russian courtroom till Dec. 20.
Griner’s case has “lots of mitigating elements,” Blagovolina instructed the Related Press.
“So we do hope that the courtroom will take it into consideration,” the basketball star’s lawyer mentioned. “And the courts in Russia, in actual fact, have very broad discretion with regard to the sentence.”
Griner, in the meantime, has confirmed “she is doing OK and in addition to may be anticipated” underneath the circumstances, a US Embassy official instructed reporters throughout Tuesday’s continuing.
“No, no complaints,” Griner mentioned when requested if she had any. “Simply ready patiently.”
A responsible plea doesn't routinely finish trials in Russia, the place attorneys can provide claims to mitigate any subsequent sentence to be doled out.
Russian Overseas Ministry officers, in the meantime, pushed again final week on Washington’s declare that Griner is being wrongfully detained.
“If a U.S. citizen was taken in reference to the truth that she was smuggling medicine, 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,” Overseas Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned.
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