Here’s what we learned from the Brittney Griner trial in Russia after her final testimony, #Heres #weve #learned #Brittney #Griner #trial #Russia #latest #testimony Welcome to OLASMEDIA TV NEWSThis is what we have for you today:
Griner’s arrest was inappropriate, legal team says
After she was stopped by staff at Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17 and asked to open her suitcases, Griner’s luggage was found to amount to less than one gram of cannabis oil, according to Russian prosecutors.
No lawyer was present, Griner testified, and she said her rights had not been explained to her, which should have been done within three hours under Russian law. Those rights include her right to know what she was suspected of and to have access to a lawyer from the time she was detained — including the ability to hold a private meeting before her first questioning by authorities.
Griner signed documents that were unclear to her, she said, and she had to use Google Translate on her phone to understand what was happening.
Griner’s detention, search and arrest were “inappropriate,” Alexander Boykov, one of her lawyers, said Wednesday. More details would be revealed, he said, during closing arguments expected to take place “within a few weeks.”
She testified that she did not know the oil was in her bag
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was aware of Russia’s drug laws, she testified, and the cannabis oil was in her luggage due to “stress packing” in a rush.
“To this day I still don’t understand how they ended up in my bags,” Griner said.
Griner “confirmed that she had a doctor’s prescription for the use of medicinal cannabis,” which “is a fairly popular treatment among professional athletes. She emphasized that she never intended to bring it to Russia and use it,” lawyer Maria Blagovolina said. after the hearing to reporters.
A knee injury forced her into a wheelchair for four months, Griner told the court, and she used the substance for inflamed knee and ankle joints. She also stressed that she was not using it for tournaments to avoid potential disqualifications.
“No, I would never risk that. I never wanted to hurt my team,” Griner said. She was tested for drugs, her lawyers said earlier, and was clean.
Griner “explained to the court that she knows and respects Russian laws and never intended to break them,” Blagovolina said. Griner also told the court that she enjoyed playing basketball in Russia during the WNBA’s off-season and that her club, UMMC Ekaterinburg, became a second home to her, Blagovolina said.
“We continue to maintain that, through indiscretion, she hastily packed her suitcase and paid no attention to the fact that substances authorized for use in the United States ended up in this suitcase and arrived in the Russian Federation,” Boykov said. . .
Prisoner swap is proposed, US officials say
During Griner’s detention and trial, months of internal debate by the Biden administration culminated in an offer from the US to exchange Griner and Whelan — whose Russian jail term was labeled unfair by the US — with convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. the matter tell CNN. The plan has been backed by President Joe Biden and ignores opposition from the Justice Department, which the sources say generally disapproves of the trade in detainees. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Biden was “directly involved” and signed the proposal submitted to Moscow, but declined to provide further details or confirm Bout as part of the proposal. Blinken said he also plans to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the coming days — their first meeting since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner’s lawyers, Blagovolina and Boykov, learned of the possible exchange through news reports, they said. While they didn’t participate in those discussions, the two said they’d be happy to see any productive results.
From a legal point of view, the exchange is only possible after the court has issued a ruling. In any case, we would be very happy if Brittney can come home and hope it will be soon,” they said.
Griner is due to return to the Khimki Regional Court on August 2.
‘Very good chance’ of release, says liberated American
Since coverage of the proposed swap went public, officials say families have been kept abreast of certain developments and supporters have expressed hope that the deal will be accepted by Russia.
National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby said a senior government official had spoken with the families prior to Blinken’s announcement about the proposal. Biden recently spoke by phone with Griner’s wife, Cherelle, and Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth.
David Whelan, Paul’s brother, said in a statement: “Our family appreciates the Biden administration seeking Paul’s release using the resources available. We hope that the Russian government responds to the US government and this or any other concession that will allow Paul to come home to his family.”
Trevor Reed, a Navy veteran who returned to the US in a prisoner swap earlier this year after being held in Russia for more than two years, told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he thinks Griner and Whelan have “a really good chance” of getting home. , “certainly given the transparency that the board has used.”
“I think if the Russians aren’t stupid, they’ll take that offer,” Reed said.
Texas Representative Colin Allred, who was working to pass a bipartisan House resolution calling for Griner’s release, said it was critical to hear Griner’s testimony and that she did her best to defend herself. to present in court, but it may not be enough, depending on how the Russian government responds.
“The only reason we’re having this conversation is because they’re trying to use her as leverage against the United States,” Allred told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “Obviously we have to do everything we can to get her home and I hope this package is accepted by the Russians.”
CNN’s Chris Liakos, Dakin Andone, Zahra Ullah, Abby Phillip, Kaitlan Collins, Evan Perez, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Michael Conte, Christian Sierra, DJ Judd, Shawna Mizelle, AnneClaire Stapleton, and Brynn Wierbowski contributed to this report.