Russian Court Rejects Disney Manager's Appeal in Cannabis Gummies Case
Russian court upholds prison sentence for Disney project manager over cannabis gummies found in luggage.
A Russian appellate court has upheld a prison sentence handed to a Walt Disney Company project manager after cannabis-infused gummy candies were discovered in his luggage earlier this year.
The Moscow Regional Court on Thursday rejected an appeal filed on behalf of Jugal Daterao, a 46-year-old Indian national residing in the United States. The ruling affirms the May 26 judgment of the Khimki City Court, which sentenced Daterao to two and a half years in prison.
Daterao, who manages more than 20 projects for Disney, had previously told the court that the candies were prescribed by a doctor in the United States to help manage complications following brain surgery.
Following the ruling, Daterao's public defender, Baltazar Shaldenbrand, said the only remaining avenue for his client's early return home is a presidential pardon. Shaldenbrand noted that Daterao had already submitted an appeal for clemency and will now formally petition Russian President Vladimir Putin for a pardon.
In a statement, Shaldenbrand said Daterao continues to hold the Russian courts in high regard, apologizes for his mistake, and hopes for a favorable consideration of his pardon petition.