Brittney Griner had a prescription for a drug she brought to Russia, lawyers say

Lawyers for Brittney Griner argued on Friday that the American basketball star had a medical prescription for the drug she mistakenly transported to Russia, where she has been detained since nearly five months amid growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over the war in Ukraine.
When Ms. Griner's drug trial resumed in a Courtroom outside Moscow, her defense team provided medical documents showing she had a prescription for medical cannabis for chronic pain, according to Reuters.
Russian authorities accused Ms Griner in February of having two vape cartridges containing hashish oil - a derivative of cannabis - in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. The 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury star and two-time Olympic gold medalist had traveled there to play with Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg in the W.N.B.A. off season.
She was charged with willfully smuggling vape cartridges, in violation of Russian laws prohibiting the importation of narcotics.
Mrs. Griner pleaded guilty last week, telling the judge she had "no intention" of breaking the law. In the Russian court system, the trial continues even after the defendants plead guilty.
Her lawyers argued that she packed her bags in a hurry. At Friday's hearing, they provided evidence, including "a doctor's appointment for the substance which, due to an oversight by B.G., remained among his possessions while crossing the border", according to a statement from Maria Blagovolina, partner of the law firm. Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners.
Mrs. Griner has found herself caught in the growing acrimony between the Kremlin and the Biden administration, which has pledged to do everything in its power to secure her freedom. Facing a 10-year prison sentence if convicted, in a justice system that heavily favors the prosecution, Ms. Griner expressed her fear that she might never be freed and wrote in a recent letter to President Biden: "S 'please don't forget me."
ImageMs. Griner holding a picture of W.N.B.A. players wearing his number as a sign of support during the league's All-Star Game. support in the American sports world and beyond. As she sat behind bars in the courtroom on Friday, Ms. Griner, wearing a Nirvana t-shirt, held up a picture of W.N.B.A. players wearing his number during last week's All-Star Game in Chicago.
His lawyers also presented evidence, including praise from Russian and American organizations. A day earlier, the manager of UMMC Yekaterinburg, the team doctor and another player testified in his defense, praising his athletic ability and character.
World Jul 15, 2022 0 85 Add to Reading List

Lawyers for Brittney Griner argued on Friday that the American basketball star had a medical prescription for the drug she mistakenly transported to Russia, where she has been detained since nearly five months amid growing tensions between Moscow and Washington over the war in Ukraine.

When Ms. Griner's drug trial resumed in a Courtroom outside Moscow, her defense team provided medical documents showing she had a prescription for medical cannabis for chronic pain, according to Reuters.

Russian authorities accused Ms Griner in February of having two vape cartridges containing hashish oil - a derivative of cannabis - in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. The 31-year-old Phoenix Mercury star and two-time Olympic gold medalist had traveled there to play with Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg in the W.N.B.A. off season.

She was charged with willfully smuggling vape cartridges, in violation of Russian laws prohibiting the importation of narcotics.

Mrs. Griner pleaded guilty last week, telling the judge she had "no intention" of breaking the law. In the Russian court system, the trial continues even after the defendants plead guilty.

Her lawyers argued that she packed her bags in a hurry. At Friday's hearing, they provided evidence, including "a doctor's appointment for the substance which, due to an oversight by B.G., remained among his possessions while crossing the border", according to a statement from Maria Blagovolina, partner of the law firm. Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners.

Mrs. Griner has found herself caught in the growing acrimony between the Kremlin and the Biden administration, which has pledged to do everything in its power to secure her freedom. Facing a 10-year prison sentence if convicted, in a justice system that heavily favors the prosecution, Ms. Griner expressed her fear that she might never be freed and wrote in a recent letter to President Biden: "S 'please don't forget me."

ImageMs. Griner holding a picture of W.N.B.A. players wearing his number as a sign of support during the league's All-Star Game. support in the American sports world and beyond. As she sat behind bars in the courtroom on Friday, Ms. Griner, wearing a Nirvana t-shirt, held up a picture of W.N.B.A. players wearing his number during last week's All-Star Game in Chicago.

His lawyers also presented evidence, including praise from Russian and American organizations. A day earlier, the manager of UMMC Yekaterinburg, the team doctor and another player testified in his defense, praising his athletic ability and character.