Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner sends supporters a message of thanks forward of attraction listening to in Russia3 hours in the past

American WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner, whose attraction in opposition to a Russian jail time period is because of be heard subsequent week, despatched her supporters a message of thanks on Tuesday, her thirty second birthday.

The 2-time Olympic gold medallist was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport with vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her baggage, and was sentenced on Aug. 4 to 9 years in a penal colony on drug smuggling costs. Her attraction is because of be heard subsequent Tuesday.

“All of the assist and love are positively serving to me,” Griner was quoted as saying by her attorneys Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, who spent a number of hours along with her within the Moscow pre-trial detention centre the place she is being held.

Griner pleaded responsible at her trial however stated she had made an “sincere mistake” and never meant to interrupt the regulation. Hashish is illegitimate in Russia for each medicinal and leisure functions.

“Right this moment is after all a troublesome day for Brittney,” stated Blagovolina, who’s representing Griner in court docket.

“Not solely is that this her birthday in jail away from her household, crew mates and mates, however she could be very confused in anticipation of the attraction listening to on Oct. 25.”

Washington says Griner was wrongfully detained and has supplied to change her for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms supplier serving a 25-year jail sentence in the USA. It stated final week it had had no consular entry to her since August.

Moscow has additionally recommended it’s open to a prisoner swap.

Invoice Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who travelled to Moscow in September, has stated he believes Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan may each be launched by the tip of the 12 months.