Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling charges during her trial in Moscow. Griner, speaking through an interpreter, told the court she’d acted unintentionally– she was ‘in a hurry’ as she packed her luggage.
Griner was detained in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters with cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison on the charges.
Before Thursday’s hearing, Russian police escorted Griner, handcuffed and clad in a bright red T-shirt and sports trousers, into the courtroom past a crowd of journalists.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned that “attempts by the American side to make noise in public … don’t help the practical settlement of issues.” He spoke after the White House said President Biden called Griner’s wife on Wednesday to assure her that he’s doing all he can to obtain the athlete’s release, as soon as possible.
