“I wish to plead guilty to all charges,” Brittney Griner told the court. His trial opened on July 1 in the suburbs of Moscow. Since February 17, the American basketball player has been imprisoned in Russia for drug smuggling.
During her trial, the Phoenix Mercury player assured that she had “no intention of violating Russian law”. She had been checked at Moscow airport in possession of cannabis oil, an illegal product in Russia but authorized in the United States. “I was in a hurry while packing and the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag,” explained the American.
His release is “a priority” for Biden
On July 4, on the occasion of American Independence Day, the player sent a handwritten letter to the President of the United States, Joe Biden. “I’m terrified to be here forever,” she wrote, also asking the president to “do everything” to free her.
The next day, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre promised that the release of the player was “a priority” for the American president. “He is doing everything he can,” she continued, assuring that Joe Biden had indeed read the letter intended for him.
Still imprisoned, Brittney Griner must now wait until July 14 for the resumption of her trial, adjourned on July 7. She will then be heard and questioned by the court, while she risks up to 10 years in prison in Russia.