WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday in Russian court to drug charges that carry up to 10 years in prison, according to Reuters and Russian state media.
Why it matters: Griner’s appearance in court comes days after the basketball player wrote in a letter to President Biden that she is “terrified that she may be here forever” and while the White House is facing growing public pressure to take her home.
Leading the news: “I would like to plead guilty, honor,” Griner said, speaking in court, according to Reuters. “But there was no intention. I didn’t want to break the law.”
- “I would like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare,” he added.
- Griner brought “inadvertently” vaporization cartridges containing hashish oil to Russia, his lawyer Alexander Boykov said after the hearing, adding that he decided to plead guilty because he is a “responsible person.” .
- “She’s a responsible person and she admitted it was hers, but she said she was taken to Russia unintentionally because she was in a hurry while packing and it was by chance,” Boykov added.
- He said Griner has not yet spoken to his wife, Cherelle Griner.
What they are saying: “Brittney sets an example of being brave,” Griner’s legal team said in a statement obtained by Max Tani of Politico. “He decided to take full responsibility for his actions because he knows it’s a role model for many people.”
- “Given the nature of his case, the insignificant amount of BG’s substance and personality, and the history of positive contributions to world and Russian sport, the defense expects the court to consider the petition as a mitigating factor and that there is no such thing as a serious sentence, “they added.
- “The WNBPA is on the side of Brittney Griner,” the WNBA players ’association said in a statement. “With a 99% conviction rate, Russia’s process is its own. You can’t navigate it or even understand it as our own legal system. What we do know is that the U.S. Department of State is going to to determine that Brittney Griner was unjustly detained for a reason and will continue to negotiate for her release regardless of the legal process. “
The big picture: Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February after authorities said she had spray cartridges, was accused of intentionally importing drugs into Russia, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
- Griner in the letter to Biden earlier this week urged her administration to help her and other American detainees in Russia.
- “I realize you’re dealing with a lot of things, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Do everything you can to take us home,” Griner wrote.
Game status: Cherelle Griner has pressured the Biden administration to do more to bring his wife home.
- Cherelle Griner spoke to Biden in a phone call Wednesday and told CBS Mornings Tuesday that the U.S. government needs to do more to help Griner.
- Moscow Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday it was difficult to hold prisoner exchanges with the US, adding that the publicity surrounding the case did not help the situation, according to Reuters.
- Griner’s detention in a Russian prison was repeatedly extended while awaiting trial.
What’s next: Griner’s legal team expects his trial to conclude in early August.
Learn more … “I’m terrified of being here forever”: Brittney Griner in a letter to Biden