Brittney Griner of Phoenix Mercury pleaded guilty in Thursday’s Moscow trial to drug possession as well as smuggling, according to the Associated Press.
In addition, she stated that her basketball teammate did not plan to breach any laws while she tried to return to the United States in vape canisters with cannabis oil.
Griner was held in Russia for five months after being arrested at Moscow’s airport. If she is found guilty, Griner could spend up to ten more years in prison.
Former Olympian supporters have urged the Biden administration not to interfere with Russia’s efforts to free Griner. Griner sent a letter to the White House asking for assistance, is “terrified [she]Could be [t]here forever,” according to the Associated Press.
Griner’s wife, Cherelle, spoke with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, just a day after she told CBS News she had heard nothing from them directly yet, NPR reported.
White made the following statement:
The President offered his support to Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and he committed to ensuring they are provided with all possible assistance while his administration pursues every avenue to bring Brittney home. Today’s call follows calls that National Security Advisor Sullivan and Secretary of State Blinken have had with Cherelle in recent weeks and this past weekend. The President directed his national security team to remain in regular contact with Cherelle and Brittney’s family, and with other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, to keep them updated on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones as quickly as possible.
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