WNBA star Brittney Griner testifies at Russia drug trial that interpreter provided incomplete translation during her interrogation
American basketball star Brittney Griner testified Wednesday at her drug trial in Russia that she "takes responsibility" for inadvertently bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges to Russia, but that she did not intend to break the law. Griner also testified that a language interpreter provided during her questioning translated only a fraction of what was said and that officials instructed her to sign documents without providing an explanation.
The substance "ended up in my bags by accident… and I take responsibility but I did not intend to smuggle or planned to smuggle [banned substances] to Russia," Griner, who was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, said during cross-examination.
During her testimony, the Phoenix Mercury standout described making a grueling 13-hour flight to Moscow from Arizona while recovering from COVID-19. Griner said she still does know how the cannabis oil, for which she had a doctor's recommendation, ended up in her bag, but explained she had packed in haste while under great stress.
She recalled how her luggage was checked upon her Feb. 17 arrival in Moscow and getting pulled aside after inspectors found the cartridges.
Along with the interpreter who allegedly provided an incomplete translation, Griner said she was offered neither an explanation of her rights nor access to lawyers and was instructed to sign documents without receiving an explanation of what they implied.
"No, my rights were not explained to me. Nobody explained anything to me," Griner said. "There was a woman there who said that she is a translator, but she only translated words like, 'name, signature.'"
After hours of proceedings she did not understand, she was allowed to hand over her personal belongings to a lawyer before being led away in handcuffs, Griner said. She said she received only a cursory translation of the allegations at her during a Feb. 19 hearing where a court sanctioned her arrest.
Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of transporting drugs. Her trial started July 1. and the five previous court sessions so far were short, some lasting only about an hour.
The next hearing in Griner's trial is expected on August 2. It is unclear how long the trial will last, but a court has authorized Griner's detention until Dec. 20. She went to Russia to play for a Russian team in the WNBA's off-season.
During Tuesday's court session of about 90 minutes, a Russian neuropsychologist testified about worldwide use of medicinal cannabis, which remains illegal in Russia. Griner's defense team has submitted a U.S. doctor's letter recommending the basketball player use medical cannabis to treat pain.
Griner testified Wednesday that she was suffering from pain from injuries sustained during her basketball career. She emphasized that cannabis oil is widely used in the United States for medicinal purposes and has less negative effects than some other painkillers.
A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said last week that the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use in parts of the U.S. had no bearing on what happens in Russia.
The slow-moving trial and Griner's five months of detention have raised strong criticism among teammates and supporters in the United States, which has formally declared her to be "wrongfully detained," a designation sharply rejected by Russian officials.
In a handwritten letter from Griner that was delivered to the White House earlier this month, the WNBA player wrote how terrified she is that she may be imprisoned in Russia "forever."
Griner's wife Cherelle told "CBS Mornings" that when she read the letter, she could feel the fear that Griner was experiencing.
"She is probably the strongest person that I know, so she doesn't say words like that lightly. That means she truly is terrified that she may never see us again. You know, I share those same sentiments," Cherelle said.
Griner was arrested in February amid high U.S.-Moscow tensions ahead of Russia sending troops into Ukraine later that month. Some supporters contend she is being held in Russia as a pawn, possibly for a prisoner swap. American soccer notable Megan Rapinoe last week said "she's being held as a political prisoner, obviously."
Russian media have speculated that Griner could be exchanged for prominent Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, who is imprisoned in the United States, and that Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, may also figure in an exchange.
U.S. officials have not commented on the prospects for such a trade. Russian officials have said no exchange could be discussed until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against Griner.