Two time gold medalist and WNBA US basketball athlete Brittney Griner pleads guilty  to drug charges in a Russian court. Griner was arrested at the airport for smuggling drugs into Russia Moscow, in February 2022.

“She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows that she is a role model for many people.”

“Considering the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of the substance and BG’s personality and history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the plea will be considered by the court as a mitigating factor and there will be no severe sentence.” read a statement by Griner’s Russian legal team.

Court was adjourned with her next hearing set for 14 July, with her legal team hoping the trial will be over by August. Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner pleaded with President Joe Biden to help work on a release agreement with Russia.

Upon answering how she pleads, Brittney Griner said : “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law, I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.”

The 31 year old WNBA basketball star, was arrested at the Moscow airport in February for possession of cannibus oil which she explained to have accidently placed in her luggage while packing in a rush. However says she does not deny the drugs belonged to her.