Brittney Griner is now facing up to 10 years in prison after she entered a plea to the drug charges against her. According to the BBC, Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court.
However, despite pleading guilty, Griner was steadfast in that she didn’t “deliberately” break the law. While explaining her actions, Griner admitted that she didn’t intend on traveling with her oil vape cartridges.
Brittney Griner Issues a Plea as She Faces Years in Russian Prison
As At the Buzzer previously reported, Griner was arrested while in an airport near Moscow when her cannabis oil vape cartridges were confiscated from her luggage. “I was in a rush packing and the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag,” Griner explained to the court.
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” she further added.
Griner and her wife, Cherelle, have also both made public pleas to President Joe Biden in an effort to get her released from Russia’s control. “(As) I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote, in part.
Cherelle then asked President Biden to do “whatever is necessary” to secure her release. Biden responded to Cherelle, saying “he was working to secure a release as soon as possible.”
It’s unclear if Griner received any sort of a plea deal for pleading guilty to the drug charges against her. Griner’s detainment has made a lot of noise in America, something Russian authorities are saying needs to stop.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Thursday that “attempts by the American side to make noise in public … don’t help the practical settlement of issues,” ESPN reported. Griner was playing basketball overseas when she was attempting to travel back to the states when she was arrested.
Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Sara Vallone has been a writer and editor for the last four and a half years. A graduate of Ohio University, she enjoys celebrity news, sports, and articles that enhance people's lives.
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