Status: 07/07/2022 8:49 p.m
US basketball player Griner faces a long prison sentence in Russia. She pleaded guilty to drug possession in a Moscow court. Cannabis products were found in their luggage.
US basketball player Brittney Griner, who has been jailed in Russia, has pleaded guilty to a drug offense in a court near Moscow. This was confirmed by her lawyers after the second day of the trial in Chimk. Griner also explained through a translator that she did not want to commit a crime, but acted in great haste when packing.
She was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February. When her luggage was checked, she is said to have had so-called vape cartridges and hash oil with her. It is said to have been only 0.5 grams.
Griner has been in custody for four and a half months, which was last extended until December 20th. Her trial began last Friday. The trial is scheduled to resume on July 14. She faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
Hoping for leniency from the court
“Of course we hope for the leniency of the court,” said Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagowolina, one of two legal advisers. “Given all the circumstances of the case, the personality of our client, we think the admission of guilt should certainly be taken into account.”
Griner also sent a letter to US President Joe Biden asking for help. Washington criticizes that Griner is wrongly detained. Moscow, on the other hand, rejects the accusation that the trial against Griner was politically motivated.
Call from Biden
According to the White House, Biden called Griner’s wife on Wednesday to assure her that he would do everything possible to secure the athlete’s release. The conversation came after Biden read Griner’s letter expressing fears of never returning home.
Washington has not made its strategy in the case public. Dialogue is particularly difficult given the extraordinarily poor relations between Russia and the United States because of the Russian war in Ukraine.
One of the best US basketball players
Since 2015, Griner has played for the UMMC Yekaterinburg team in the Urals. She won the Euroleague four times with the top club. Griner is considered one of the best basketball players in the American women’s professional league WNBA. With the Phoenix Mercury she won the championship in 2014, with the US national team she won two gold medals at the World Championships in addition to two Olympic victories. Many professional players like Griner are not only active in their home leagues, but also abroad, including in Russia so far.