WNBA star Brittany Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russian court. Griner, 31, could face up to 10 years in prison, as could his family. Today we will discuss about Brittney Griner: Why did plead guilty| Plead guilty| Russian basketball
Brittney Griner: Why did plead guilty| Plead guilty| Russian basketball
Brittany Yvette Griner (born October 18, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas. He is the only NCAA basketball player to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named AP Player of the Year and Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.
| No. 42 – Phoenix Mercury | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | WNBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 18, 1990 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Nimitz (Houston, Texas) |
| College | Baylor (2009–2013) |
| WNBA draft | 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Mercury | |
| Playing career | 2013–present |
Why did plead guilty
American basketball star Brittany Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court on Thursday to drug trafficking charges, but denied intent to break the law in a case that has further escalated tensions between Moscow and Washington.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, detained days before Russia sent troops to Ukraine, faces up to a decade behind bars for bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil into the country.
The 31-year-old basketball star told a court in the city of Khimki outside Moscow that she “wants to plead guilty” to all charges, but insisted she had “no intention” to break Russian law.
“I was packing early. And the cartridges accidentally got into my bag.” The six-foot-nine (2.06 m) tall athlete wore a red T-shirt and matching trousers. She walked into the courtroom with her tattooed hands handcuffed to a Russian. Protector.
Plead guilty
KHIMKI, Russia, July 7 (Reuters) – American basketball star Brittany Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court on Thursday to a drug charge, but denied that she knowingly broke the law.
Griner was speaking at the second hearing of her trial on a drug charge that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, days after urging US President Joe Biden to secure his release. read more
Griner said calmly, speaking in English, “I want to be guilty, your honor. But there was no pun. I didn’t want to break the law.
The next court hearing was scheduled for July 14.
Griner’s lawyers told reporters they were expecting the “most possible sentence, taking into account the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of substance, and BG’s personality and history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport.”
Griner’s lawyer, Maria, said, “We, as her defense, told her of the possible consequences. Brittany, insisting that she committed the crime recklessly, prepared in haste to board a plane to Russia.” There was no intention to break Russian law.” Blagovolina is a partner in the law firm of Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners.
Russian basketball
“Given the nature of his case, the insignificant amount of substance and the history of BG’s personality and positive contribution to global and Russian sport, the defense expects that as a mitigating factor in the petition by the Court.” will be considered and there will be no serious punishment,” his legal team said in a statement.
US officials say they are doing everything possible to secure the release of 31-year-old Griner, a seven-time W.N.B.A. The All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first openly gay athlete signed an endorsement contract by Nike. At Thursday’s hearing, Elizabeth Rudd, in charge of the US Embassy in Moscow, handed over a letter from President Biden to Ms Griner.
But with tensions between the United States and Russia at their worst level in decades due to President Vladimir V. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Biden has few options to secure his independence.
What to know about the detention of Brittany Griner in Russia?
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What happened? In February, Russian authorities detained an American basketball player, Brittany Griner, on drug charges after being stopped at an airport near Moscow. Since then, his detention has been repeatedly extended. Ms. Griner’s trial began on July 1; He has confessed his crime.
Why was he taken into custody? Authorities in Russia said they detained Ms Griner after she found a wipe cartridge that contained hashish oil in her luggage. Officials said a criminal case has been opened in the mass transport of drugs, which could carry a sentence of up to 10 years.
Why was she in Russia? Griner was playing for an international team in Russia during the W.N.B.A. off season. Trade leisure is common for overseas competition among league players for a number of reasons, but often the biggest motivation is money.
Does it have anything to do with Ukraine? Ms. Griner’s detention is a major conflict between Russia and the United States over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
