Brittney Griner, a US basketball star detained in Russia, pleaded guilty on Thursday to drug-trafficking charges.
Speaking through an interpreter, the WNBA star said she had "no intention" of breaking any Russian law.
"I was in a rush packing. And the cartridges accidentally ended up in my bag," she said.
Griner was detained in February at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow after authorities reportedly found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The Russian foreign ministry said Griner could appeal against any decision in the case or ask for clemency after a verdict has been reached.
The White House on Wednesday said President Joe Biden called Griner's wife to assure her that he was working to secure the Olympian's release. They spoke after Griner appealed directly to the president via a handwritten letter. The Rev Al Sharpton also called on the president to arrange a meeting with the detained Olympian.
The US State Department designated Griner as "wrongfully detained", handing her case to the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. Russia says Griner's detention is not illegal, despite strained relations with Washington over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said officials from the US embassy in Moscow attended the trial and gave Griner a letter from President Joe Biden.
Mr Blinken also called for the release of Paul Whelan and other "wrongfully detained" Americans. Mr Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on espionage charges that his family and the US claim are false.
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Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP -
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. AFP -
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP -
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP -
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters -
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP -
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives -
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP -
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA -
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP -
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA -
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters -
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP -
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP -
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP -
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters -
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Russian media outlets have speculated that Griner could be part of a prisoner swap in exchange for Russian arms trader Victor Bout, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for conspiracy to murder US citizens and for providing aid to a terrorist organisation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday it was difficult to exchange prisoners with the US and suggested Washington stop discussing Griner's fate.
“The persistence with which the US administration … describes those who were handed prison sentences for serious criminal articles and those who are awaiting the end of investigation and court verdicts as ‘wrongfully detained’ reflects Washington’s refusal to have a sober view of the outside world,” Mr Ryabkov said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
