"I intend to plead guilty to all charges." That's how Brittney Griner, two-time Olympic champion, confessed today to the court where she was heard, in Russia. The 31-year-old American basketball player was arrested in February at Moscow airport for possession of cannabis oil. The player stressed that she never had “intention to violate Russian laws” and explained that it was her carelessness and her haste in packing that caused the situation. “I packed my bags in a hurry and the packages ended up accidentally in my bag”, said the athlete, who risks 10 years in prison.
Brittney was twice Olympic basketball champion – Photo: DR
Brittney was arrested in February 2022 when agents at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport found vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil in her suitcase. According to the with the BBC, Griner had gone to Russia to play out of season, something he did as a “2nd job”, to earn some more money. According to the BBC, in Russia basketball players can earn three times as much as in the US. Brittney is openly gay and was, in fact, the first openly female WNBA player to receive a Nike sponsorship.
In a letter released by his family on Independence Day, July 4, Griner confessed his fear of Biden: “Sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or anything else I've accomplished, I'm terrified at the thought of staying here forever," wrote the two-time Olympic basketball champion. “I know very well that you have a lot to deal with, but please don't forget about me and the other American prisoners. Please do everything you can to get us home,” Brittney pleaded.
The case has already led to diplomatic spats between Russia and the United States, with the Kremlin denying it has any US hostages, criticizing the “media noise” around Griner. Sergei Riabkov, deputy foreign minister, warned that the "public exaggeration" of the Americans does not help in the negotiation for the eventual exchange of prisoners between Moscow and Washington. ”
“Why should we make an exception for a foreign national? [Griner is like] hundreds and hundreds of Russian citizens, who were convicted of transporting hashish” – Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told NBC
“We can't call her a hostage. She violated Russian law and is now being prosecuted," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told NBC. “Why should we make an exception for a foreign national? [Griner is like] hundreds and hundreds of Russian citizens, who were convicted of transporting hashish.”
Brittney Griner has been in preventive detention since February 2022 and will return to court on July 14.