Breaking news out of Russia as WNBA star Brittney Griner has pled guilty to drug charges.
Griner, detained in Russia since February, pled guilty to bringing hashish oil into Russia. She told the judge that she did so “inadvertently” while requesting mercy from the court.
According to ESPN, this does not mean her trial is over. Instead, it will likely continue on.
Griner’s ordeal began in February when she was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
She informed the court that she accidentally packed the vape cartridges in her bag and did not mean to break Russian law.
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” said Griner to the judge, according to Reuters.
She faces 10 years in prison for the crime, a situation which many are calling theatrics and a back and forth between Russia and the U.S.
The U.S. stated that Griner was “wrongfully detained” and Russia responded by claiming the U.S. was politicizing the process. Then they extended her detention twice.
Thursday was day two of her trial, and sources are saying that this was an expected move.
According to ESPN, these sources say that the guilty plea could help facilitate a prisoner swap between the two countries, particularly because it appeared that her acquittal wasn’t going to happen.
Earlier in the week, we learned that Grinner penned a letter to the White House, begging the President not to forget about her and other American detainees.
Her wife, Cherelle, has not stopped fighting to bring her home. She shared her feelings and Brittney’s sentiments to the White House and with a crowd in Phoenix who gathered in support of the detained Phoenix Mercury star.
“I won’t let them break me,” wrote Griner according to Cherelle. “I know they’re trying to, but I’m going to do my best to just hold on until I can get home.”
According to Reuters, the Russian foreign ministry stated that after a verdict is delivered, Griner could appeal her sentence or apply for clemency.
We’ll keep you updated on this developing story.
