Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia: On Thursday, Brittney Griner appeared in a Russian court and pled guilty to the drug allegations against her.
The two-time Olympic gold winner was detained in February on suspicion of trying to carry vape cartridges containing oils derived from cannabis through a Moscow airport. According to the allegations, the cartridges included cannabis oil.
“Your honor, I would like to enter a guilty plea. However, there was no malicious intent. According to a Reuters report, she stated in court, “I didn’t wish to break the law.”
I’d be happy to provide my testimony at a later time. I need some time to get ready,” she continued.
Griner entered her guilty plea just one day after Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated during a news briefing that the WNBA star will be able to appeal her conviction or request for clemency. Griner’s guilty plea comes just one day after Russia’s Foreign Ministry made those statements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted allegations made by the United States that she was unlawfully imprisoned on February 17th.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “the court must first deliver its verdict, but no one is stopping Brittney Griner from making use of the appeal procedure and also from requesting clemency.” The spokesperson also stated that “attempts to present her case as though the American woman was illegally detained do not stand up to criticism.”
According to an interview that was conducted on Wednesday by Fox News Digital with Rebekah Koffler, a Russian-born former U.S. intelligence officer, and expert on Russia and Vladimir Putin, Koffler stated that it would be unlikely for Putin to grant Griner clemency in such a highly charged case and that her detention would more than likely be used as a bargaining chip for a prison swap or more. Koffler was quoted as saying that Putin would be unlikely to grant Griner clem
“Putin and the Kremlin are only interested in exchanging Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, who is known as the ‘Merchant of Death.'” They will drag out the entire process, including the appeal, just as a negotiating tactic to get what they want out of the Biden administration, she stated. “They will drag out the entire process, including the appeal.”
In a nutshell, Putin is going to use Ms. Griner as negotiating leverage in a prisoner swap case or some other matter. The Russians will dig their heels in even further, seeking a swap for Bout or some other concessions, the more coverage this case receives in the headlines here in the United States, which in turn stirs up emotions. They are aware of our sensitive areas.
In light of the fact that Griner has admitted guilt, Koffler stated on Thursday that she is confident that she is “doing the right thing” despite the fact that she is participating in a “fake trial.”
“The Russians have taken control of the situation. Brittney must maintain her composure and have faith that the United States government will do everything in its power to secure her release.
She went on to say that engaging in a prisoner swap in order to bring Griner back home could be dangerous because it would only “embolden Russia spy services to grab more Americans on their territory who unwittingly break Russian laws,” despite the fact that she has “sympathy” for Griner’s predicament.
“I would not want any American to be held in a Russian prison,” the speaker said. In a nutshell, you should pray and maintain your faith.
On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that Vice President Joe Biden had a conversation with Brittney Griner’s wife and that they are “working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible,” in addition to “working to secure the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world.”
There is a possibility that Griner, who has spent the offseason of the WNBA for the past seven years playing basketball in Russia, could receive a sentence of up to ten years in prison. The 14th of July is the date set for her next court appearance.
