KHIMKI (Moscow region), July 7, Sergey Fuchs. American basketball player Brittney Greiner, who is accused in Russia of drug smuggling and who faces five to 10 years in prison, was taken to the Khimki court for the second hearing, a correspondent reports from the scene. to consideration on the merits of the basketball player's case. At the first meeting, the indictment was announced and two witnesses were interrogated — a customs officer who examined Greiner's backpack, and an operative officer who was interrogated behind closed doors. The athlete herself said that she understood the essence of the charges brought against her, but she plans to speak out later. Her lawyer Maria Blagovolina later explained that her client took advantage of Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, that is, she did not give evidence and did not admit guilt. In addition to the participants in the process, representatives of the US Embassy were present at the meeting. Deputy head of the US diplomatic mission Elizabeth Rood told reporters that Griner «is in a good mood and she remains faithful.» On Monday, the White House press service reported that US President Joe Biden read a letter from Griner, in which she admitted that she was afraid of the prospect of permanently staying in Russian prison, and asked to make every effort to return her to the States. In February, Greiner, who arrived on a flight from New York, was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport. Inspection of hand luggage revealed that the American woman had «vapes» with a liquid with a specific smell. The examination established that the liquid is narcotic hash oil. A criminal case was initiated on drug smuggling, she was arrested.
