Russian prosecutors are asking the court to reduce the 9-and-a-half year prison sentence for the WNBA star Brittney Griner during her marijuana possession trial, according to Washington Post.
The harsh sentence was delivered during closing arguments at a court outside Moscow on Thursday, as her nearly six-month trial drew to a close.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, allegedly in possession of a vape canister.
The 31-year-old American had previously pleaded guilty and admitted to having contraband in her luggage but maintained that there was “no intention” and that she did not want to break the law, which could help her receive a sentence lighter.
While Russian courts rarely acquit defendants, judges there have plenty of time to give lenient sentences.
Griner’s lawyer says: Vape Cartridges are medically prescribed to treat pain
Based on APThe lawyer for the two-time Olympic gold medalist shared with a Russian court a letter from an American doctor advising the athlete to use medical marijuana to treat pain.
Her attorney, Maria Blagovolina, said: “The attending physician made a recommendation to Brittney regarding the use of medical marijuana. “The license has been issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health.”
Earlier last month, the defense also submitted tests she underwent as part of an anti-doping check. Tests did not detect prohibited substances in her system, the report said.
On July 27, Griner testified that she was provided with a language interpreter while in custody, however, the interpreter only partially translated what was said to her while she was being held for questioning. .
She also shared that she was given no explanation of her rights nor an attorney, and that she was instructed to sign documents without receiving an explanation of what she signed.
End of debate on Thursday End of a nearly six-month trial
In testimony last month, Brittney described the 13-hour flight she had to take to Moscow, Russia from Arizona after recovering from COVID-19.
Brittney insists she doesn’t know how the cannabis oil ended up in her bag when she was about to leave Russia, but thinks it may have ended there because she packed her bags the way she did. hurry.
The incident attracted international attention from the outset, with many believing Griner was a political pawn in a chess match between Russia and the United States.
Several celebrities have voiced their support for Griner, with the likes of Chris Brown defending her in an Instagram Story last month, as previously reported. Shade room.
