Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty as Russia Hits at US ‘Hype’ on Prisoners
- WNBA star tells court she didn’t intend to break Russian law
- Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov says US hinders prisoner swaps
Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 7, 2022.
Photographer: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty at a Moscow court to smuggling cannabis oil in vape cartridges as Russia blamed US media “hype” over the fate of jailed Americans for impeding talks on potential prisoner swaps.
Griner, who may face a maximum of 10 years in prison, acknowledged guilt at a hearing Thursday, said Maria Blagovolina, a lawyer at Rybalkin Gortsunyan & Partners which is representing the American basketball player at the trial.