Brittney Griner testifies her rights were not explained when she was detained at Moscow airport

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The American basketball star testified at her drug trial in Russia that she was told to sign documents without an explanation and that a language translator only translated a fraction of what she said.

The man was arrested at an airport. She admitted in court that she had a canister of cannabis oil in her luggage when she arrived in Russia, but said she had no criminal intent.

During her testimony, the Phoenix Mercury star said she had to fly to Moscow from Arizona to recover from her illness. She didn't know how the cannabis oil for which she had a doctor's recommendation ended up in her bag.

She recalled how her luggage was checked when she arrived in Moscow.

Along with the interpreter who provided an incomplete translation, she said she was offered neither an explanation of her rights nor access to lawyers.

After hours of proceedings she didn't understand, she was allowed to hand over her belongings to a lawyer before being taken away in handcuffs. She said she didn't get a full translation of the allegations at her hearing.

If he is found guilty of transporting drugs, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Her trial began on July 1st and the five previous court sessions have only lasted about an hour.

It's not clear how long the trial will last, but a court has given the green light to keep him in jail until December 20. There is a Russian team in the WNBA.

During Tuesday's court session, a Russian psychologist testified about the use of cannabis in other countries. The basketball player's defense team submitted a doctor's letter to the U.S. government.

During her basketball career, she suffered injuries that caused her pain. She said that cannabis oil has less negative effects than other painkillers and is used for medical purposes in the US.

The legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use in the U.S. had no bearing on what happens in Russia, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman.

High U.S.-Moscow tensions led to the arrest of Griner. She is being held in Russia as a bargaining chip in a prisoner swap. Megan Rapinoe said she was being held as a political prisoner.

Russian media have speculated that a Russian arms trader named Viktor Bout, who is imprisoned in the United States, and an American who is imprisoned in Russia, may be involved in a swap.

The prospects for such a trade have not been commented on. The Russian officials said no exchange could take place until the legal proceedings were over.