Brittney Griner’s Appeal For Drug Possession Scheduled For October 25th
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A Russian court has scheculed a court date to hear Brittney Griner’s appeal. It will take place on October 25th. Griner’s conviction came back in August. She was found guilty of drug possession. The player’s appeal was filed by her legal team, according to her attorney Maria Blagovolina.
It’s been approximately eight months since the WNBA star was first detained in Russia. Griner intended to fly over to the country to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg while WNBA was in the offseason. Vape cartridges containing cannabis oils were reportedly found in Griner’s luggage at an airport in Moscow. Griner was then charged with smuggling drugs into Russia, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Griner pled guilty to narcotics possession and smuggling charges during her drug trial, acknowledging that the cannabis oils were in her luggage. Griner also testified that she had no criminal intent. The Biden Administration has offered Russia a potential prisoner exchange. Officials say the administration has offered Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner, and Paul Whelan. Whelan has been detained at a hostel in Moscow. He was arrested on alleged espionage charges. Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of the charges in June 2020. U.S officials had deemed Whelan’s trial “unfair”.
“This quite sensitive issue of the swap of convicted Russian and US citizens is being discussed through the channels defined by our Presidents,” Director of the North American Department, Alexander Darchiev said in a statement. “These individuals are, indeed, being discussed. The Russian side has long been seeking the release of Viktor Bout. The details should be left to professionals, proceeding from the ‘do not harm’ principle.”
FOX News has more HERE.
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