The American basketball star was arrested almost four months ago for alleged drug smuggling in Russia. Griner is now hoping for a reduced sentence.
Brittney Griner walks handcuffed to her July 7 hearing near Moscow.
(Reuters) Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in a courtroom in Russia on Thursday. The American basketball player faces a prison sentence of up to ten years. Griner was arrested on February 17 after Russian authorities found cannabis oil in her luggage.
Hours after Griner’s wife, Cherelle, vowed not to rest until she got home, the WNBA All-Star told a judge that she had no intention of breaking the law. ‘I would like to plead guilty, Your Honor. But there was no intention. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner said, according to the Reuters news agency.
“Of course we hope for the leniency of the court,” said Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagowolina, one of two lawyers. “Given all the circumstances of the case, the personality of our client, we think the admission of guilt should certainly be taken into account.”
Detention until at least December
Griner asked the judge for “time to prepare” her testimony. She is due to appear in court again in a week, on July 14, with her current detention pending December.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Cherelle Griner on the phone this week – their first conversation since Brittney Griner was arrested at an airport near Moscow on drug charges just over four months ago.
“The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is committed to the speedy release of Brittney Griner, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other American citizens who are wrongfully imprisoned or held hostage in Russia and around the world being held. He also read her a draft of the letter the President is sending to Brittney Griner today,” the White House said.
Letter to Biden
In a letter, Brittney Griner asked the President to take care of her case and also to help other Americans detained in Russia. “Sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I fear that I may be here forever,” she wrote aloud Excerpts from the letter published by their representatives on Monday.
“On July 4th, our family typically honors the contributions of those who fought for our freedom, including my father, who is a Vietnam War veteran,” Griner wrote. “It hurts when I think about how I usually celebrate this day, because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”