Griner says no intention to break Russian law

Описание: (27 Jul 2022)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow – 27 July 2022
1. Exterior of court
2. Media gathered in front of television playing audio from Brittney Griner's translator, translating answer from the American basketball star into Russian; UPSOUND (Russian) "I didn't bring them (vape cartridges) intentionally into the Russian Federation. I don't know how they ended up in my luggage. I had no intention to break any of the laws of the Russian Federation."
3. Griner leaving court
4. US Embassy Chief of Mission Elizabeth Rood walking out of court, approaching media
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Elizabeth Rood, US Embassy Chief of Mission:
"I will say that we were again able to sit next to Ms Griner throughout the proceedings and we had the opportunity to talk with her again and she is feeling well, and she talked with us about a book she's reading. We're going to continue to monitor the case of Ms Griner very closely as well as the cases of all US citizens detained or imprisoned in Russia."
6. Exterior of court
7. Inscription at court entrance reading (Russian) "Khimki City Court."
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mariya Blagovolina, Brittney Griner's lawyer:
"Well she had to tell the truth, what she did. So she explained how she arrived in Russia, what happened to her, how these cartridges ended up in her luggage. So it was absolutely no intention (not intentional). That's the key point that she made today. She had no intention to break any Russian law. She knows that this is prohibited in Russia. She knows Russian law. So, there is no intent in her actions. That, we think, is key for the case."
9. Scales of Justice statue outside court
STORYLINE :
American basketball player Brittney Griner on Wednesday said that she had "no intention" of breaking Russian law as her drug possession trial continued.
Griner has been held in the country since mid-February after police said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
She has pleaded guilty to the charges but says she had no criminal intent in bringing them into the country.
"I didn't bring them (vape cartridges) intentionally to the Russian Federation," she said according to her translator.
"I don't know how they ended up in my luggage. I had no intention to break any of the laws of the Russian Federation."
Speaking after the hearing, Griner's lawyer, Mariya Blagovolina, echoed her testimony.
She stressed the Phoenix Mercury player and two-time Olympic gold medalist had no intention of breaking the law and knew the law in Russia.
Griner, 31, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
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