Brittney Griner “doesn’t anticipate miracles” forward of her attraction towards the nine-year jail time period

America of America’s (USA) basketball star Brittney Griner “doesn’t anticipate miracles” at her attraction listening to on Tuesday towards a nine-year Russian jail time period for having hashish oil in her baggage, her attorneys mentioned in an announcement.

The 2-time Olympic gold medallist was arrested on February 17 at a Moscow airport with vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is banned in Russia. She was sentenced on August 4 to 9 years in a penal colony on costs of possessing and smuggling medicine.

Griner’s attorneys, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, mentioned she would participate in Tuesday’s listening to by video link from the detention centre the place she has been held, and that they anticipated a verdict the identical day.

“She could be very nervous ready for the attraction listening to. Brittney doesn’t anticipate any miracles to occur however hopes that the attraction courtroom will hear the arguments of the protection and cut back the time period,” they mentioned.

Griner pleaded responsible at her trial however mentioned she had made an “sincere mistake” and never meant to interrupt the regulation.

Washington says Griner was wrongfully detained and has supplied to alternate her for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms seller serving a 25-year jail sentence in the US.

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 mentioned he believes Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan may each be launched by the tip of the 12 months. A U.S. consular officer spoke briefly on the cellphone with each detainees final Tuesday.