Brittney Griner, the American basketball star whose imprisonment in Russia became entangled in wartime politics, pleaded guilty to drug charges today (July 7) in an apparent bid for leniency.

“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent,” Griner in a court statement obtained by Reuters. “I didn’t want to break the law… I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.”