Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner's criminal trial in Russian court for alleged cannabis possession began last week. On Thursday morning, the seven-time All-Star submitted her plea on the charges.
BREAKING: U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court to drugs charges that could see her face 10 years in prison https://t.co/FnUXSR2v5I pic.twitter.com/u9gOyEwJfm
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 7, 2022
The news comes one day after it was reported that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner — Brittney Griner's wife — about efforts to bring her back to the United States. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been detained in Russia for four months and is accused of entering the country with vape cartridges containing hashish oil.
Griner reportedly told a judge on Thursday that she "inadvertently" brought the hashish oil into Russia, while asking the court for mercy.
"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Griner told the judge in English, which was then translated into Russian for the court.
The guilty plea was, according to reports, expected.
Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drugs charges and faces up to 10 years in prison, per @Reuters.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 7, 2022
Experts believe a guilty plea would likely be a requirement of any prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, according to @TJQuinnESPN. pic.twitter.com/vDsWtXQiiv
The U.S. government declared in early May that Griner was being wrongfully detained. According to an ESPN report, "fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned."
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!