Greiner appeared in court as the case progressed with new witness testimony about the customs search. The prosecution presented two witnesses who observed the moment a search was conducted at Moscow’s airport, describing how a service dog reacted to the athlete’s belongings. During the check of personal items, liquid vapors were detected and later confirmed as containing poppy oil by an expert examination.
The two-time Olympic champion is facing charges including drug trafficking and illegal transportation under Russia’s Criminal Code. The court outlined potential penalties, with one clause carrying a possible prison sentence of five to ten years and the other addressing penalties ranging from fines to prison time up to three years, reflecting the severity of the alleged offenses.
Greiner requested a later interrogation in court to allow additional preparation time. The presiding judge asked the athlete to participate earlier, and the upcoming third hearing, scheduled for July 14, will include her questioning.
Greiner’s counsel, Maria Blagovolina of the firm Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners, stated that pleading guilty was the player’s decision, not a defensive tactic. The attorney noted that Greiner had been granted permission to contact her family by phone, though coordinating that contact has faced logistical challenges to date.
“Greiner weighed her options carefully and ultimately chose to admit guilt after constructive consultation with counsel,” Blagovolina said. The defense plans to present witnesses at the next hearing as part of the ongoing proceedings.
In a public statement, the defense asked the court to consider the personal dimensions of the athlete in the case. They indicated that the admission should be taken into account in the eventual outcome. A court source quoted by a sport-focused outlet echoed the sentiment, suggesting a relatively lenient sentence could be possible given personal factors.
Alexander Boykov, the attorney representing the American player, confirmed the innocence of the act and argued that the possession was unintentional. He described the item as something the athlete carried accidentally while in a hurried departure and later misplaced in the trunk, indicating no deliberate wrongdoing.
While in pre-trial detention, Greiner wrote to the U.S. President urging efforts to secure her release. There was public note that in the U.S. hash oil is not categorized as a prohibited substance, which added a layer of complexity to international perceptions of the case. The message timing coincided with a national holiday in the United States, and reports noted a subsequent presidential response and a call to the athlete’s spouse.
News outlets reported that the U.S. president communicated with Greiner’s wife, Sherell, and that a high-ranking official from the U.S. diplomatic mission in Moscow engaged with the judge during proceedings. Observers described the attorney and embassy representatives emphasizing the government’s intent to safeguard the rights of all detained U.S. citizens, while acknowledging the political and legal dimensions of the case in Russia.
Some American officials cautioned that the process could extend over several months. There was speculation about potential negotiations involving a high-profile exchange with a Russian businessman, though analysts suggested that such negotiations would face significant obstacles given the broader geopolitical context and the high price tag associated with any swap deal.
Despite these uncertainties, officials emphasized the priority of securing Greiner’s safe return home. Observers noted that while there is parallel pressure for a timely resolution, the legal process may unfold at a measured pace, particularly as international diplomacy maneuvers continue around the case.