Brittney Griner testifies for first time at her Russia drug trial

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in a cage at a court docket room previous to a listening to Wednesday in Khimki simply exterior Moscow, Russia.
(Alexander Zemlianichenko / Related Press)

American basketball star Brittney Griner testified Wednesday at her drug trial in Russia that a language interpreter translated solely a fraction of what was mentioned throughout her questioning and that officers instructed her to signal paperwork with out offering an evidence.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February. She acknowledged in court docket earlier this month that she had vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her baggage when she arrived in Russia however contends she had no legal intent and packed the cartridges inadvertently.

Throughout her testimony, the Phoenix Mercury standout described making a grueling 13-hour flight to Moscow from Arizona whereas recovering from COVID-19. Griner mentioned she nonetheless doesn't understand how the hashish oil ended up in her bag however defined she had a physician’s suggestion for it and had packed in haste.

She recalled getting pulled apart on the airport on Feb. 17 after inspectors discovered the cartridges.

Together with the interpreter who offered an incomplete translation, Griner mentioned she obtained neither an evidence of her rights nor entry to a lawyer and was instructed to signal paperwork with out an evidence of what they implied.

After hours of proceedings she didn't perceive, she was allowed at hand over her private belongings to a lawyer earlier than being led away in handcuffs, Griner mentioned. She mentioned she obtained solely a cursory translation of the allegations throughout a Feb. 19 listening to the place a court docket sanctioned her arrest.

Griner faces as much as 10 years in jail if convicted of transporting medication. Her trial began July 1, and Wednesday was her first look as a witness. The court docket exterior Moscow held 5 earlier periods that had been quick, some lasting solely about an hour.

It's unclear how lengthy the trial will final, however a court docket has licensed Griner’s detention till Dec. 20. She went to Russia to play for a Russian staff within the WNBA’s low season.

Throughout Tuesday’s court docket session of about 90 minutes, a Russian neuropsychologist testified about worldwide use of medicinal hashish, which stays unlawful in Russia. Griner’s protection staff has submitted a U.S. physician’s letter recommending the basketball participant use medical hashish to deal with ache.

Griner testified Wednesday that she was affected by ache from accidents sustained throughout her basketball profession. She emphasised that hashish oil is extensively utilized in the USA for medicinal functions and has much less unfavourable results than another painkillers

A Russian Overseas 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 robust criticism amongst teammates and supporters in the USA, which has formally declared her to be “wrongfully detained,” a designation sharply rejected by Russian officers.

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 may very well be exchanged for distinguished Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who's imprisoned in the USA, and that Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, might also determine in an change.

U.S. officers haven't commented on the prospects for such a commerce. Russian officers have mentioned no change may very well be mentioned till the conclusion of the authorized proceedings in opposition to Griner.

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