The two-time American Olympic basketball gold medalist was arrested on February 17 at a Moscow airport, a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Russian authorities claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage and charged her with smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The audience reaches so many in the WNBA, along with other athletes, coaches and politicians. , have called for Griner’s release for fear of being used as a political pawn in the midst of the war in Ukraine. The U.S. State Department has classified Griner as an unjust detainee. Griner also wrote a letter to President Joe Biden in which he said he feared being detained in Russia indefinitely and asked the president not to forget about her or other American detainees.
“I realize you’re dealing with a lot of things, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Do everything you can to take us home,” Griner wrote. “I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much to do with my freedom that you can help me regain it.”
It is unclear whether Thursday’s hearing will lead to a verdict or whether the trial could be extended to additional hearings. Griner admitted his guilt at the last hearing, but told the court he had no intention of committing any crime, state news agency RIA Novosti reported.
During Thursday’s hearing, the court could force the defense to further expand its intent, or they could go on to convict it, U.S. officials said.
Griner’s lawyers expect the court to consider the 31-year-old athlete’s conviction and hope for clemency, Alexander Boykov and Maria Blagovolina told reporters last week.
The samples taken from Griner showed no trace of drugs, Boykov added. “She was clean and had a trial,” the lawyer said.
Griner’s legal team said it was his decision to plead guilty, adding that he “sets an example of being brave.”
“He decided to take full responsibility for his actions as he knows it is a role model for many people,” the statement said.
“Given the nature of his case, the insignificant amount of BG’s substance and personality, and the history of positive contributions to world and Russian sport, the defense expects the court to consider the petition as a mitigating factor and that there is no such thing as a serious sentence. “
His lawyers said they expect the trial to end in early August.
CNN’s Kylie Atwood, Rosa Flores, Jacqueline Rose, Alexa Miranda, Abby Phillip, Dakin Andone, and Alaa Elassar contributed to this report.