Brittney Griner, who was defending herself during the closing arguments in her Russian drug trial today, apologized to her family members and colleagues. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of nine-and-a half years imprisonment for her bringing in a marijuana pen to Russia.
Griner, 31 years of age, was taken into custody at Moscow Airport in February. The White House has failed to negotiate Griner’s release.
Russian prosecutors want Brittney Griner jailed for 9 1/2 years for illegally importing cannabis. Six months is less than what the maximum sentence of 10 years would be.
She pleaded guilty previously and awaits sentencing.
She begged for mercy and requested that the court consider her character.
She claimed that she was not interested in being considered a political spy and that the importation of the cannabis pen to the country was an honest, simple mistake.
Brittney Griner appears in Khimki (near Moscow) on Thursday. Prosecutors requested that a judge sentence Brittney Griner to nine and-a-half year imprisonment, which is just six months shorter than her maximum 10 year term.
Griner was taken into court in handcuffs. Griner has been in prison since February
Brittney Griner holds up a team photo showing her playing with UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian team she spent off-seasons with to bolster her WNBA earnings
“Russia was my second home.” I remember vividly coming out of the gym and all the little girls coming out and waiting on me. This is what made me keep coming back to this place.
‘I am sorry to all my teammates and my club for my error and my embarrassment. Also, I apologize to my siblings, Phoenix Mercury (the amazing women in the WNBA) and to my spouse.
‘I did not mean to cause harm, to make it difficult for the Russian population or to offend any laws. My mistake was honest and your decision will not cause me to lose my life. Although I understand that people keep talking about the political pawn, I believe it is far away from this courtroom.
‘I had no intent on breaking Russian law. It was not my intention or conspiracy to do this crime. You should consider all of the documentation and character lists I received.
I did not intend to offend any laws. It was an honest mistake. I hope your decision doesn’t cause me to lose my life.
This is my second home. “All I wanted was to win championships, and make people proud,” she stated.
In negotiations with Griner, the State Department sought Griner’s release in a package that also included Paul Whelan (an American prisoner) returning home.
Although the deal was on the table for several weeks, Russia has yet to sign it.
US officials won’t confirm that the agreement includes Viktor Boult’s release, which is a Russian criminal known for being the “merchant of Death”.
Griner, left, shaking hands with Alexander Boykov (right). Elizabeth Rood is shown as the Deputy Chief Of Mission at US Embassy Moscow.
Griner is led by the defendant into Griner’s Khimki cage, close to Moscow on Thursday.
Griner and Cherelle with their wife Cherelle. Cherelle has been asking for White House assistance for several months.
Griner was detained at Moscow Airport on February 2nd after customs officers found cannabis in Griner’s luggage. Griner has been held in jail ever since.
Her attorneys asked for leniency during closing arguments Thursday.
Maria Blagovolina, her lawyer, stated that Usain Bolt is a sprinter, while Michael Schumacher is a Formula 1 driver, and Brittney Griner is a women’s basketball player.
Blagovolina, who is also a partner of Rybalkin Dyakin and Partner law firm Rybalkin Gortsunyan Dyakin, stated that Griner should be given lenient treatment if the court considers it necessary.
Griner’s relatives claim they are frustrated by the White House’s response.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, stated Monday to reporters that Russia had responded in bad faith to the offer of the US government. This counteroffer was not considered serious by American officials. She refused to give more details.
Griner acknowledged that she had vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her bag when she was detained at Moscow’s airport.
However, she insists that her intent was not criminal and that the containers ended up in her suitcase because she was packing quickly.
She said, “I don’t know how they got in my bag.”
Griner was prescribed medical marijuana by the United States for pain relief from chronic injuries. This treatment is popular among elite athletes as it causes fewer side effects that other painkillers.
Griner was a member of a Russian women’s basketball team during the WNBA offseason.