According to CNN – Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.
Griner, 31, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge.
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” she said in court
She left the courtroom without giving any comment to reporters, and her next hearing is set for July 14.
Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after Russian officials say they found cannabis oil in her luggage. The basketball star, who plays in Russia during the WNBA’s offseason, has been held since then on drug smuggling charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Her trial began last week.
The US State Department has classified Griner as wrongfully detained, and her supporters have called for her release over fears that she is being used as a political pawn amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner’s plea came on the second day of her trial, which began last week, when a prosecutor accused her of smuggling less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage.
According to state media agency TASS, prosecutors argue Griner intended to import the drugs into Russia’s territory and put the prohibited substances into a backpack and a suitcase.
On Wednesday, the White House announced President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone with Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner.
Cherelle Griner was “grateful” for the call from Biden and Harris, she said in a statement Wednesday.
“While I will remain concerned and outspoken until she is back home, I am hopeful in knowing that the President read my wife’s letter and took the time to respond,” she said. “I know BG will be able to find comfort in knowing she has not been forgotten.”
Twitter raction:
Can folks stop acting like what Brittney Griner is going through is a legitimate legal proceeding? She's a political prisoner and Russia has the upper-hand while engaged in what is essentially a hot conflict with the U.S., and to be frank, I am very frightened for her.
— Black Aziz aNANsi (@Freeyourmindkid) July 7, 2022
and
I can't imagine any American male athlete, let alone any white male athlete, being treated the way Russia is treating Brittney Griner. This simply would not happen to someone like Tom Brady, leaving aside that he wouldn't have had to supplement his income in the first place.
— Charlotte Clymer ️⚧️ (@cmclymer) July 7, 2022
and
.@USEmbRu officials again attended Brittney Griner’s trial today and delivered to her a letter from President Biden. We will not relent until Brittney, Paul Whelan, and all other wrongfully detained Americans are reunited with their loved ones.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 7, 2022
and
Reportedly Brittney Griner has pled guilty to the drug charges levied against her, and could possibly face 10 years in prison. And, all of a sudden America isn't so terrible place to be.
— Daniel Brewer (@DB_USMC2009) July 7, 2022
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