Russia: Brittany Griner returned to court on Tuesday for her marijuana possession trial, as US diplomatic efforts to secure her release continue.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star could face up to ten years in prison if convicted. The Biden administration has come under public pressure to free him as his trial continues. In a notable move, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov last week, urging him to accept a deal that would include Griner and Paul Whelan, an American currently in Russia on charges of espionage. is in custody, will be released. ,
In contrast to US efforts to isolate the Kremlin, the Lavrov-Blinken call represented the highest level of communication known between Washington and Moscow since Russia sent troops to Ukraine more than five months ago.
Griner and Whelan will be exchanged for infamous arms dealer Victor Bout, according to people familiar with the proposal. It highlights the public pressure experienced by the White House to secure Griner's release.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that Russia's retaliatory offer to the US government was made in "bad faith" and was not taken seriously by US officials. She didn't go into much detail.
Griner has admitted that when he was detained at Moscow airport in February, his luggage contained vape canisters containing cannabis oil. She argued that the canisters accidentally entered her luggage as she was running to pack and that she had no malicious intent. In the WNBA off-season, Griner competed for a Russian women's basketball team.
Her defense lawyers presented medical expert testimony to support her argument that she was prescribed cannabis for pain relief. Russian law prohibits the use of medical marijuana.
Although judges may take into account mitigating circumstances according to Russian law, acquittals are uncommon and account for less than 1% of criminal cases in Russia.
However, since Russian officials said this could only happen after the judicial process was over, a sentencing could actually open the door for grinner exchanges.
According to Washington lawyer Tom Firestone, who previously worked as a legal adviser at the US embassy in Moscow, Griner could receive a harsher sentence so that the Russians could "maximize their gains in the negotiations". "Russia probably wants to let it play out a little longer and is trying to work out more concessions," he told the Associated Press.
US statements regarding the case have been ridiculed by Russian officials, who claim they disregard Russian law. He urged Washington to discuss the matter in "quiet diplomacy without releasing speculative information" while maintaining their poker faces.
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