The Phoenix Mercury player was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on February 17 on her way back to Russia to play in the National Women’s Basketball Association offseason. Police said they found vapor containers containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner, 31, who has been in custody since then, pleaded guilty to charges that could have sent her to prison for up to 10 years. It was thought that the plea could be an attempt to speed up the court process. Image: Griner’s booking has been approved until December 20 On Thursday, she appeared again in a Moscow court, where Maxim Ryabkov, the boss of UMMC Yekaterinburg, Griner’s Russian team that plays in the US in the off-season, apparently testified to her good character. The Reuters report, however, was produced in Russia, where the law restricts some coverage, including of Russian military operations in Ukraine. Ryabkoff is said to have told the court of Griner’s “exceptional abilities as a player and his personal contribution to strengthening team spirit”. Team leader Yevgenia Belyakova also testified in her defense at the court in Khimki, on the outskirts of Moscow, where Griner had earlier arrived under guard and in handcuffs. “No intent to commit a crime” In Russia, a guilty plea does not automatically end the trial. Griner’s defense may present arguments during the hearing to mitigate the punishment, or a verdict may even be announced. Griner is one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, widely regarded as the best offensive player in the league. She is also a double Olympic gold medalist. At a hearing on July 7, she said she did not intend to commit a crime and that she acted unintentionally because she packed her things for Moscow in a hurry. Read more: Who is Brittney Griner? US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said they were doing everything they could to win the release of Griner and other Americans the US considers “safely held” by Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan. But a senior Russian diplomat said Moscow could not take action until the trial was over. Russian media have speculated that Griner may be traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the Merchant of Death, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill American citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization. However, a Kremlin spokesman said Thursday “We never comment on prisoner exchanges.” Griner’s bond has been approved until Dec. 20.
