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RIGA, Latvia — American WNBA star Brittney Griner is set to appear in a Moscow court Thursday in the third hearing of her trial on drug charges that could result in a 10-year prison sentence, unless U.S. and Russian officials can agree on a prisoner swap.
Griner pleaded guilty to carrying cannabis oil in vape cartridges last week after a senior Russian diplomat hinted that there were channels for negotiation on the matter, but only after her trial is complete. While pleading guilty, Griner maintained that she did not intend to break Russian law and had been in a rush when she packed, with the vape cartridges ending up in her baggage by accident. She is not expected to testify at Thursday’s hearing. Instead, her legal team, which expects a short trial of just three to five days, will call witnesses in her defense.
It is unclear when Griner will be sentenced. Her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, said last week the legal team would ask the judge for a lenient sentence based on Griner’s guilty plea.
Horton reported from Washington.
