Brittney Griner testifies as Biden considers selling Russian prisoners to free them
The President is reportedly ready to release a jailed Russian arms dealer to bring the WNBA star home.
Britney Griner testified in a Russian court today (July 27) to defend herself against allegations that she smuggled drugs into the country. The WNBA star and US Olympic gold medalist has been in Russian custody since February 17, when officers allegedly found cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremtyevo Airport.
Earlier this month, Griner pleaded guilty, saying she accidentally tossed the cannabis oil in her bag while rushing to pack. You face up to ten years in prison in Russia because of the charges. Her trial was adjourned because scheduled witnesses failed to show up. The procedure is underway again, but the process could take until December.
That’s what Griner said in court today
Griner testified Wednesday that she never intended to bring cannabis into the country and still doesn’t know how it ended up in her luggage. Griner also said that her medical marijuana was prescribed to treat a knee injury. She was in Russia to play in a pro league during the WNBA offseason.
Griner told the court she did not understand the documents, which Russian officials pressured after her arrest. She also said she did not have a lawyer when she was first detained and that she had to use Google Translate to understand the documents.
Their defenders argue that their rights have been violated. Under Russian law, they say, Griner should have said what she was suspected of. She should also have been given immediate access to a defense attorney before being questioned.
Her attorney, Alexander Boykov, said Wednesday that Griner’s detention, search and arrest were “unreasonable.” He plans to expand on that during the closing arguments of the trial in the coming weeks.
Griner’s legal team in court today “declared to the court that she knows and respects Russian laws and never intended to break them,” according to her other attorney, Maria Blagovolina. Griner also told the court that she considers Yekaterinburg, Russia, a second home.
On Tuesday, the defense called a narcologist for an expert testimony on how cannabis is used medicinally outside of Russia.
Biden ready to trade Russian criminal for WNBA star
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Brittney’s wife Cherrelle Griner earlier this month to show their support. Cherelle Griner was “grateful” for the call but said she will “remain concerned and blunt” until her wife can come home. Griner was ruled wrongly imprisoned by Biden officials.
The Department of Justice largely avoids prison trafficking. But Biden has the power to override their wishes. A common concern is that swaps encourage countries to target Americans and use them as bargaining chips.
The Biden administration debated for months before agreeing to offer Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who was sentenced to 25 years in US prison. The deal aimed to free Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, who is being held on espionage charges.
CNN reports that an offer was made for Griner and Whelan in June. “We have submitted a substantial offer which we believe could be successful based on a series of talks with the Russians,” an official told CNN.
Earlier this year, the US negotiated the release of Trevor Reed, a former Marine who was held in Russia for over two years. Reed was traded for a Russian pilot serving 20 years for smuggling cocaine.
But just because Biden is willing to offer up free Americans to Russian convicts doesn’t mean Russia will accept the deal.
A senior Russian diplomat said “there are no formal or procedural grounds to discuss further steps” until Griner’s trial is complete.
Yesterday, an American teacher named Marc Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for traveling to Russia with cannabis. While Fogel was caught with more weed than Griner (about 20 grams), his family is waiting for the US to declare him wrongly imprisoned.
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