US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 7, 2022. - Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
<p>Brittney Griner&#8217;s ordeal in Russia doesn&#8217;t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. On Thursday, the U.S. basketball player pled guilty to Russian drug charges, per <em>Reuters. </em>As previously reported, Russian authorities detained Brittney while she was entering the country with vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. If she&#8217;s convicted, Brittney could face up to <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/brittney-griners-trial-in-russia-to-begin-on-friday-faces-up-to-10-years-if-convicted/">10 years in prison</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn&#8217;t want to break the law,&#8221; Brittney told the court.</p></blockquote>
<p>Brittney added that the cartridges officials found in her luggage were a mistake. According to <em>CNN, </em>Brittney <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/07/europe/brittney-griner-russia-pleads-guilty/index.html">told the court</a> via an interpreter that the contraband was a result of packing in a hurry.</p>
<p>Though Brittney did not speak to reporters while leaving the courtroom, she reportedly asked for time to prepare a statement. She is scheduled to be back in court on July 14.</p>
<p>On Thursday, she appeared wearing a bright red, Crenshaw t-shirt and matching sweats. She also wore glasses with her locs pulled into a low ponytail.</p>
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<p>Brittney&#8217;s trial began on July 1 at the Khimki Court near Moscow. Prior to the trial, the court determined the U.S. citizen would remain behind bars for the trial and the next six months.</p>
<p>Her plea on Thursday differs from the <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/brittney-griner-reportedly-pleads-not-guilty-to-drug-charges-in-russia-update/">plea made in March</a>. At the time, she pled not guilty to drug trafficking charges. Russian media reported officials extended Brittney&#8217;s detainment to May 19.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Brittney Pens Letter To President Biden Requesting Help</strong></h5>
<p>Towards the end of May, Brittney&#8217;s wife Cherelle Griner<a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/brittney-griners-wife-speaks-out-about-the-wnba-stars-detainment-in-new-interview/"> spoke about the detainment</a> in an interview. She pleaded with President Joe Biden to abide by any demands made by the foreign country.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I keep hearing he has the power. She&#8217;s a political pawn so if they&#8217;re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it,&#8221; Cherelle aimed at President Biden.</p></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier this week, Brittney echoed her wife&#8217;s attempt to directly reach President Joe Biden. The 31-year-old penned a letter that was shared in excerpts by <em>ESPN&#8217;s</em> T.J. Quinn. A rep for Brittney and <em>ESPN </em>refused to release the full letter or how the letter ended up at the White House from Russia.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don&#8217;t forget about me and the other detainees,&#8221; Brittney wrote. &#8220;Please do all you can to bring us home.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
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<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Russian Officials Say Brittney Is Not A Political Prisoner</strong></h5>
<p>Brittney&#8217;s arrest back in February came on the heels of Russia invading Ukraine&#8211;thus souring relations with the U.S. and other countries. Though the U.S. declared Brittney &#8220;wrongfully detained&#8221; in May, the status has done little to help her situation.</p>
<p>Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied the athlete is a hostage. Speaking through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/spokesman-for-vladimir-putin-claims-brittney-griner-is-not-a-hostage-as-she-remains-in-russian-custody/">president said</a> she&#8217;s being punished for breaking the law regarding hashish. Dmitry pointed out that &#8220;hundreds and hundreds of Russian citizens&#8221; have met the similar judgment for the same crime.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;She violated Russian law, and now she&#8217;s being prosecuted. It&#8217;s not about being a hostage,&#8221; Dmitry said. &#8220;There are lots of American citizens here. They&#8217;re enjoying their freedoms&#8230;but you have to obey the laws.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
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