WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to a drug charge in a Russian court on Thursday.
The guilty plea for bringing cannabis into the country could land her in jail for up to 10 years.
BIDEN UNDER FIRE FOR HANDLING OF BRITTNEY GRINER’S DETENTION IN RUSSIA
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner said in the courtroom, according to Reuters.
Griner’s lawyers speaking outside the courthouse in Moscow said it was her decision to plead guilty.
“She’s a responsible person, and she admitted that it was her’s, but she said that it was unintentionally brought to Russia because she was in a hurry as she was packing, and it was just by accident,” Alexander Boikov, one of Griner’s lawyers, said.
Griner’s other lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, also said Griner made the plea decision herself and that she is “responsible for her actions.”
“Considering her personality and that she is a role model to so many young people, she thought she should be responsible for her actions,” Blagovolina said.
Boikov expressed optimism that Griner’s sentence will be lenient after the guilty plea.
“We are hoping for the softest sentencing possible,” Boikov said.
Several high-profile figures, including NBA superstar LeBron James, have called for Griner’s release.
Griner was arrested in a Moscow airport in February after officials say they found cannabis oil in her luggage, she was charged with drug smuggling and has been detained since February.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, Wednesday and said they would work to have her released.
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A readout from the White House said Biden told Cherelle Griner he was “working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible.” Biden also sent a letter to Brittney Griner.
Boikov said that Griner “appreciated” the letter from Biden.
