- This content was created in Russia, where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine
KHIMKI, Russia, July 7 (Reuters) – U.S. basketball star Brittney Greener pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court on Thursday but denied that she intentionally broke the law.
Griner was speaking at the second hearing in her trial on drug charges that could see her sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, days after she called on US President Joe Biden to secure her release. Read more
“I would like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intention. I didn’t want to break the law,” Greener said, speaking softly in English, which was then translated into Russian for the court.
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“I would like to testify later. I need time to prepare,” she added.
The next court hearing is scheduled for July 14.
Griner’s lawyer, Alexander Boykov, told reporters they were hoping for the lightest sentence possible.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport with vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia, and has been in custody ever since.
In a handwritten note, she appealed directly to Biden earlier this week to step up U.S. efforts to bring her home.
U.S. basketball player Brittney Greener, who was detained in March at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, is escorted before a court hearing in Khimki, outside Moscow, Russia, July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
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“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees…” Griner wrote. “Please do everything you can to bring us home.”
Biden spoke with Griner’s wife on Wednesday, telling her he was working to get her released “as soon as possible,” the White House said. Read more
US officials and many athletes have called for the release of Greener – or “BG” as she is known to basketball fans – who they say has been wrongfully detained.
Her case has also raised concerns that Moscow could use it as leverage to negotiate the release of a high-ranking Russian citizen in US custody.
Russian officials say there is no reason to consider Griner’s detention illegal and that the case against her is not political, despite Moscow’s strained relationship with the United States over Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
Moscow’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday that it was difficult to exchange prisoners with the United States and suggested Washington stop talking about Griner’s fate. Read more
Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury of the National Women’s Basketball Association, played for UMMC Yekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League for women’s basketball to supplement her earnings during the WNBA offseason, like several other American players.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Griner could appeal his sentence or apply for clemency after the sentence is handed down.
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Reuters report; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Trevelyan, Angus McSwan and Jonathan Oatis
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