Brittney Griner’s Russian trial considers medicinal use of cannabis

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 respectable medicinal use.

Griner acknowledged in courtroom earlier this month that she was carrying vape canisters containing hashish oil when she was arrested in February at a Moscow airport. However she contends she had no legal intent and that the canisters ended up in her baggage inadvertently due to hasty packing.

“We aren’t arguing that Brittney took it right here as a drugs. We’re nonetheless saying that she involuntarily introduced it right here as a result of she was in a rush,” defence legal professional Alexander Boykov stated after the listening to.

One other member of Griner’s defence staff beforehand submitted a U.S. physician’s letter recommending the basketball participant use medical hashish to deal with ache. Throughout Tuesday’s courtroom session, a Russian neuropsychologist testified about worldwide use of medicinal hashish.

A Russian International Ministry spokesperson stated 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.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, pleaded responsible to drug possession fees on the second listening to of her trial, which began July 1. She faces as much as 10 years in jail if convicted of transporting medication.. The medical testimony and Griner’s admission that she had the canisters have been aimed toward incomes her a light sentence.

“We now have a number of 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,” stated Maria Blagovolina, one other of Griner’s attorneys.

Size of trial unclear

5 courtroom periods have taken place up to now, some lasting solely about an hour. After Tuesday’s session of about 90 minutes, the case was adjourned till Wednesday afternoon.

It’s unclear how lengthy the trial will final, however a courtroom has licensed Griner’s detention till Dec. 20.

The slow-moving trial and Griner’s 5 months of detention have raised robust criticism amongst teammates and supporters in the US, 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 OK and in addition to may be anticipated below these circumstances,” Rood advised reporters.

When requested whether or not she had any complaints, Griner replied: “No, no complaints. Simply ready patiently.” She displayed photographs of her spouse, pals and teammates.

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 stated “she’s being held as a political prisoner, clearly.”

Russian International Ministry lashes out

The Russian International Ministry final week lashed out on the U.S. competition that Griner was being wrongfully detained and stated Russian legal guidelines must be revered.

“If a U.S. citizen was taken in reference to the truth that she was smuggling medication, and she or he doesn’t deny this, then this must be commensurate with our Russian native legal guidelines, and never with these adopted in San Francisco, New York and Washington,” International Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated.

“If medication are legalized in the US, in quite a lot of states, and that is finished for a very long time and now the entire nation will turn out to be drug-addicted, this doesn’t imply that every one different nations are following the identical path,” she added.

Russian media have speculated that Griner might be exchanged for outstanding Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who’s imprisoned in the US, and that Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, may additionally determine in an trade.

U.S. officers haven’t commented on the prospects for such a commerce. Russian officers have stated no trade might be mentioned till the conclusion of the authorized proceedings in opposition to Griner.

Earlier trial periods have included character-witness testimony from the director and captain of the Russian staff that Griner performed for within the low season, and written testimony such because the American physician’s letter saying he had licensed her to make use of hashish for ache remedy.