Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges during appearance in Russian court, per report

Author: Editors Desk Source: USA Today

July 7, 2022 at 10:38

Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 7 / Credit: Kirill Kudryatsev, AFP Via Getty Images

The U.S. classified Griner as "wrongfully detained" in May. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris phoned Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, who pushed for increased urgency to free Griner during national media appearances.

Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday in a Russian court on drug charges that have led the U.S. government to classify her as "wrongfully detained."

Reuters reported from the courtroom that Griner entered a guilty plea. She could face a sentence of up to 10 years, while pressure from her supporters at home calling for her release grows.

Griner, speaking Thursday on the second day of her trial in a suburb of Moscow, has been in Russian custody since Feb. 17.

"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Griner said in English, per Reuters, which was then translated into Russian for the court.

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