The 31-year-old was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February while traveling to play for a Russian team. Police said he was carrying vapor cans of cannabis oil. He told the court today: “I would like to plead guilty, my honor. But there was no intention. I didn’t want to break the law.” Russian news agencies reported the process and reported that Griner testified that she acted unintentionally because she was quickly packing for the trip. Griner’s lawyers confirmed she had pleaded guilty, with one telling reporters they were hoping for a more lenient sentence. The Phoenix Mercury star and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Griner eats well, can read books and “under the circumstances, she’s doing well,” said US diplomat Elizabeth Rudd, who spoke to her in the courtroom. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken tweeted that the group gave her a letter from President Biden and that he “will not back down” until she and other wrongfully imprisoned Americans are freed. The player’s wife urged US President Joe Biden to secure her release, calling her a “political pawn”. The White House said Wednesday that the president called her to say he was doing everything he could to free Griner. They spoke after Biden read a handwritten letter from Griner in which she said she was worried she would never come home. “I understand you’re dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American prisoners…” he said. “Please do whatever you can to bring us home.” Image: Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Thursday that “attempts by the American side to make noise in public … do not help in the practical settlement of issues.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously denied politics and the war in Ukraine had anything to do with the sports star’s detention. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman claimed that Griner had committed a “serious crime” supported by “indisputable evidence”. Speculation about the “Merchant of Death” exchange. The case is gathering further momentum in the US, with prominent activist Rev Al Sharpton among those calling on President Biden to do more. Griner’s supporters have encouraged a prisoner swap like the one in April that sent veteran Marine Trevor Reed in exchange for a Russian pilot convicted of a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Russian media have speculated that he could be traded to arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death” and serve 25 years in a US prison. However, Mr Ryabkov said there were “no formal or procedural reasons to talk about further steps” until the trial was concluded. Griner was traveling to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian league to supplement her income during the US offseason. Her trial began last week but was adjourned after two witnesses failed to appear and there are fears it could take months to conclude. Her next appearance is scheduled for July 14.
