Imprisoned US Athlete: Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty To Drug Possession
US basketball player Brittney Griner, jailed in Russia, has pleaded guilty to a criminal case of drug possession. This was unanimously reported by Russian news agencies from the court in the city of Chimki near Moscow, citing a translation. Griner explained through an interpreter that she did not want to commit a crime, but acted in a great hurry when packing, as the Interfax agency reported.
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"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 considered." The basketball player was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February and is accused of drug possession. She is said to have had vape cartridges and hash oil with her when her luggage was checked in Sheremetyevo in February. The amount was only 0.5 grams.
Athlete faces ten years in prison
Griner has been in custody for four and a half months, which was last extended to December 20th. The trial against the athlete began on July 1st and the trial is scheduled to continue on July 14th. She faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.
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According to the White House, Joe Biden called Griner's wife on Wednesday to assure her that he would do everything possible to secure the athlete's release. Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Moscow, Elizabeth Rood, said after the hearing that she was able to speak to Griner in the courtroom and hand her a letter from US President Biden, which she read. You are doing well given the circumstances.
The US government criticizes that Griner is being held unjustly. Russia, on the other hand, rejects the accusation that the trial against Griner was politically motivated.
The basketball player has been playing for the UGMK Yekaterinburg team in the Urals since 2015. She won the Euroleague four times with the top club. Griner is considered one of the best basketball players in the US women's professional league WNBA. She won the championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014, with the US national team she won two Olympic gold medals and two gold medals at the world championships. Many professional players like Griner are also active abroad in addition to their home leagues, including so far in Russia.
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