Tag: Griners

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Griner’s lawyers tell Russian court she was prescribed medical cannabis

Griner’s lawyers tell Russian court she was prescribed medical cannabis
  • This content material was developed in Russia where by the legislation restricts protection of Russian army functions in Ukraine.

KHIMKI, Russia, July 15 (Reuters) – Attorneys defending U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner informed a Russian court on Friday she was recommended health-related cannabis in the United States for a continual injury, a Reuters journalist at the courtroom noted.

Griner pled guilty to medicine fees which carry a jail sentence of up to 10 yrs soon after she was detained at a Moscow airport in February carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil.

The Women’s Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (WNBA) star appeared in court docket donning a Nirvana t-shirt on Friday for the fourth hearing in the demo. She has reported she did not intend to crack the regulation, and U.S. President Joe Biden has said the United States is accomplishing every little thing it can to secure her launch.

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The Kremlin has downplayed the plan of a prisoner exchange, indicating it is premature to explore the chance of swapping Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, for a Russian imprisoned in the United States.

U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and later on charged with illegal possession of hashish, is escorted ahead of a courtroom hearing in Khimki outdoors Moscow, Russia, July, 15, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Griner’s protection crew submitted paperwork on Friday arguing she “inadvertently” introduced the vape cartridges into Russia and had a allow issued in the point out of Arizona for the use of professional medical cannabis.

“The defense right now furnished created evidence, which includes character components, healthcare documents and tax returns,” Griner’s attorney, Maria Blagovolina, a partner at Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners, informed Reuters.

“Among the health-related files is a doctor’s take note for the substance that Brittney Griner inadvertently left amongst her belongings when crossing the border,” she stated.

In a listening to on Thursday, a Russian basketball club director gave evidence in assist of Griner, talking of her “superb skill” and “particular contribution to strengthening staff spirit.” examine a lot more

Griner, who performs for the Phoenix Mercury in the United States was scheduled to engage in for Russian group UMMC Ekaterinburg in the off-year – a common move for WNBA gamers. Griner initial performed in Russia in the 2014-15 year, and had prior stints in China.

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Reporting by Reuters enhancing by Man Faulconbridge and Toby Davis

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Brittney Griner’s lawyers say she was prescribed medical cannabis for sports-related chronic pain

Brittney Griner’s lawyers say she was prescribed medical cannabis for sports-related chronic pain

In February, WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport after Russian officials claimed they found vape cartridges in her luggage. Since then, Griner has remained under Russian detention. But this week, as her legal battle continues, Griner’s lawyers say she was prescribed medical cannabis for “severe chronic pain.”

For several years, Griner has traveled to Russia to play basketball during the WNBA’s offseason. This is common among WNBA players, as the league salary cap prevents them from earning as much as their other pro-league counterparts in the U.S. Griner was arrested while entering Russia to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Earlier this month, Griner pleaded guilty to possessing vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia. The charges can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Ahead of her trial, which will begin July 26, Griner’s defense is offering evidence to try to get the superstar a lighter sentence. Per CNN, Griner’s team submitted a letter from a U.S. medical center that had permitted Griner in 2020 to use medical cannabis to treat chronic pain. The team also submitted medical test results from 2018 and a medical report from 2020 in which a doctor confirmed Griner’s “severe chronic pain.”

Griner’s attorney Alexander Boykov told reporters, “Yesterday was quite an emotional day for [Griner],” per CNN. “She saw her general manager, her friend and teammate Evgeniya Belyakova for the first time in many months,” Boykov continued. “And now she just wants to take a rest.”

In May, the United States government classified Griner as being “wrongfully detained.” That means the government is supposed to take a much more active role in facilitating her release. But after months of perceived inaction, Griner wrote a letter to President Biden that was delivered earlier this month and asked the federal government to step up its efforts.

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees,” Griner wrote to Biden. “Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore.”

Along with medical documents, CNN reported that Griner’s lawyers submitted character support documents, including letters from UMMC Ekaterinburg and the Russian Basketball Federation. Per the outlet, Elizabeth Rood, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, told media, “What became very clear is the tremendous amount of respect and admiration both in the United States and here in Russia where Ms. Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only for her professional achievements, but for her character and integrity.”