The drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner resumed Wednesday in a Russian courtroom with Griner testifying that a language interpreter offered throughout her questioning translated solely a fraction of what was mentioned.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February. She acknowledged in courtroom earlier this month that she had vape canisters containing hashish oil when she arrived in Russia however contends she had no felony intent and the canisters ended up in her baggage inadvertently.
Throughout her testimony, the Phoenix Mercury standout described making a grueling 13-hour flight to Moscow from Arizona whereas recovering from COVID-19. She recalled how her baggage was checked upon arrival and getting pulled apart after the canisters have been present in her baggage.
Together with the interpreter who allegedly offered an incomplete translation, Griner mentioned she was provided neither an evidence of her rights nor entry to attorneys and was instructed to signal paperwork with out receiving an evidence of what they implied.
Griner faces as much as 10 years in jail if convicted of transporting medicine. Her trial began July 1. and the 5 earlier courtroom periods up to now have been brief, some lasting solely about an hour.
It's unclear how lengthy the trial will final, however a courtroom has approved the Phoenix Mercury participant's detention till Dec. 20. Griner went to Russia to play for a Russian group within the WNBA's low season.
Throughout Tuesday's courtroom session of about 90 minutes, a Russian neuropsychologist testified about worldwide use of medicinal hashish, which stays unlawful in Russia. Griner's protection group has submitted a U.S. physician's letter recommending the basketball participant use medical hashish to deal with ache.
"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 physician," protection legal professional Alexander Boykov mentioned Tuesday.
Griner's protection nonetheless focuses on the canisters winding up in her baggage attributable to hasty packing, Boykov mentioned. The medical testimony and Griner's admission that she had the canisters have been aimed toward incomes her a light sentence.
"We have now numerous mitigating components. So we do hope that the courtroom will take it into consideration. And the courts in Russia, in truth, have very broad discretion with regard to the sentence," mentioned Maria Blagovolina, one other of Griner's attorneys.
A Russian International Ministry spokesperson mentioned final week that the legalization of hashish for medical and leisure use in components of the U.S. had no bearing on what occurs in Russia.
The slow-moving trial and Griner's 5 months of detention have raised sturdy criticism amongst teammates and supporters in america.
Griner appealed in a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden to safe her launch. She has pleaded responsible to the fees, however maintains she had no intention to interrupt the regulation.
The U.S. has formally labeled Griner as "wrongfully detained."
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."
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 additionally determine in an alternate.
U.S. officers haven't commented on the prospects for such a commerce. Russian officers have mentioned no alternate might be mentioned till the conclusion of the authorized proceedings towards Griner.