By Anna Chernova and Dakin Andone, CNNUpdated 1443 GMT (2243 HKT) July 7, 2022 US basketball star Brittney Griner is escorted Thursday before a court hearing outside Moscow.(CNN)Two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court near Moscow, her lawyers confirmed to CNN on Thursday.Griner, who the US State Department has classified as wrongfully detained, faces up to 10 years in prison under the charge.
The 31-year-old was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after Russian officials say they found cannabis oil in her luggage.
The basketball star, who plays in Russia during the WNBA's offseason, has been held since then on drug smuggling charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Her trial began last week.Griner told the court Thursday she had not intended to commit a crime, state news agency RIA Novosti reported.