Brittney Griner

2022 - 8 - 4

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WNBA star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for ... (CNN)

The detained WNBA star Brittney Griner apologized and asked for leniency in an emotional speech to a Russian courtroom in her drug-smuggling trial Thursday ...

Blagovolina also told CNN her team's experts identified "a few defects" in the machines used to measure the substance. Those rights would include access to an attorney once she was detained and the right to know what she was suspected of. "To hear her words and her apologies. Boykov also argued Griner had no opportunity to properly examine the court documents. All this confirms the complete absence of intent in her actions, Blagovolina argued. "What Vladimir Putin is trying to do is basically drive up the bargaining price of Ms. Griner." Near the end of the tribute, spectators started chanting, "Bring her home! We are BG," the statement reads. He said the US is working to bring home Griner and Paul Whelan, an American citizen who has been held by Russia for alleged espionage since 2018. The defense team is hopeful that Griner will be able to talk to her family next week. Blagovolina added that Griner will return to the detention center where she is being held. Judge Anna Sotnikova of the Khimki city court delivered the sentence and fined Griner 1 million rubles, or about $16,400.

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A Russian court sentences WNBA star Brittney Griner to 9 years on ... (NPR)

MOSCOW — A Russian court has found Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling and possession charges. The widely expected verdict comes after a monthlong ...

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Trevor Noah Rips Russia for Brittney Griner Sentence (The New York Times)

We all know Russia doesn't care about what Brittney Griner did,” Noah said, calling Russia “the same country that's breaking every human rights law on the ...

They should get their own name, like the Choco Taco flock’o.” — TREVOR NOAH Klondike ended the Choco Taco and the fans brought it back. Apparently you cannot rush the artisanal process of folding an ice cream cone in half.” — JIMMY FALLON I miss food in Alcatraz, no!’” — TREVOR NOAH “Whoever America has in prison, send them to Russia. Yeah, it seems like they win, but don’t forget, that person now has to live in Russia. Yeah, yeah. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

Conviction and Sentencing of U.S. Citizen Brittney Griner in Russia ... (Department of State)

This step puts a spotlight on our significant concerns with Russia's legal system and the Russian government's use of wrongful detentions to advance its own ...

The United States opposes this practice everywhere. This is an absolute priority of mine and the Department’s. This step puts a spotlight on our significant concerns with Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda, using individuals as political pawns.

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Brittney Griner is facing a 9-year sentence in a Russian jail following ... (CNN)

After a Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for a drug smuggling conviction on Thursday, the player's supporters, ...

During the trial, the lawyers argued that Griner's detention was handled improperly. The US State Department has classified Griner as wrongfully detained. In addition to her nine-year sentence, Griner must pay a fine of 1 million rubles, which is roughly $16,400. "I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom." Her lawyers had hoped that Griner's guilty plea and statements of remorse would result in a more lenient sentence. of cannabis oil in her luggage as she traveled through a Moscow airport on February 17.

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Lavrov says Russia is ready to discuss prisoner swap with US after ... (CNN)

The US and Russia have indicated they are ready to hold talks over a prisoner swap, a day after basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted of drug ...

Earlier Friday, a US State Department official told reporters there had been no "serious response" from Russia on a proposed swap. Prior to the verdict on Thursday, Griner apologized to the court and asked for leniency in an emotional speech. And we'll be pursuing that," Blinken told reporters at a press briefing.

A court in Moscow sentences WNBA star Brittney Griner to 9 years ... (WJCT NEWS)

A Russian court found Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling and possession charges. She was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.

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Russia "ready" to discuss prisoner swap now that Brittney Griner ... (CBS News)

The White House has urged Russia to accept its offer of a deal for the release of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

That means she truly is terrified that she may never see us again. You know, I share those same sentiments," Cherelle said. Blinken has said Washington put forward a "substantial proposal" for the exchange of Griner and Whelan. In a handwritten letter from Griner that was delivered to the White House last month, the WNBA player wrote how terrified she is that she may be imprisoned in Russia "forever." The White House has urged Russia to accept its offer of a deal for the release of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. Russia said Friday it was "ready to discuss" a prisoner swap with Washington at the presidential level, a day after the drug conviction of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.

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Explained: WNBA star Brittney Griner convicted in Russia, what next? (The Indian Express)

Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in prison by a Russian court. Who is she, and what is the case against her? What could happen next?

There has been growing pressure on the Biden administration to get Griner home. Many WNBA athletes chose to play overseas because of the massive pay disparity compared to their male counterparts in the National Basketball Association (NBA), whose earnings can go up to tens of millions of dollars. A Russian court on Thursday (August 4) convicted US basketball star Brittney Griner of possessing and smuggling narcotics, sentencing her to 9 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rouble in the politically charged case. Griner’s defence team said they were “very disappointed” by the verdict and would appeal against it. Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall, the centre player has been with team Phoenix Mercury since 2013. I didn’t want to break the law,” she added.

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US basketball star Brittney Griner jailed for nine years on drug ... (Voice of Nigeria)

Griner, 31, admitted possessing cannabis oil but told the court she made an “honest mistake“. But the court convicted her of smuggling and possessing narcotics, ...

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Brittney Griner: U.S, Russia to discuss prisoner swap – Voice of ... (Voice of Nigeria)

he United States and Russia have agreed to discuss a prisoner swap a day after a Russian court sentenced basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in ...

Griner, who had been prescribed medical cannabis in the United States to relieve pain from chronic injuries, said she had made an honest mistake by inadvertently packing her vape cartridges as she rushed to make her flight. Griner’s sentence could pave the way for a prisoner swap that would include the 31-year-old athlete and a prolific Russian arms dealer serving a 25-year prison term in the United States. The Kremlin warned the United States against turning to “megaphone diplomacy” in the case of Griner, saying it could only derail efforts to secure a potential swap. The United States and Russia have agreed to discuss a prisoner swap a day after a Russian court sentenced basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for a drug offense. The United States has already made what Blinken called a “substantial offer” to secure the release of Americans detained in Russia, including Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan. “We are ready to discuss this topic, but within the framework of the channel that was agreed upon by presidents Putin and Biden.

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Brittney Griner: WNBA unites with 42-second silence after prison ... (Daily Mail)

The WNBA came together in support of imprisoned basketball star Brittney Griner after she was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia Thursday.

I know personally, I'm really proud to be part of this group and the way they showed up and came out and played. We approached the game tonight with a heavy heart, as we have every game this season.' You try to honor her and still play hard for her. Right now, we still got to try and keep her spirit alive. 'Bringing Brittney and other wrongfully detained Americans home is the primary objective. 'How are you supposed to approach the game and court with a clear mind?

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Brittney Griner may go to a Russian penal colony. Here's what you ... (The Washington Post)

Brittney Griner, who was in Russia to play for a local team during the WNBA off-season, was detained over vape carriages containing cannabis oil in her ...

The weapons: Ukraine is making use of weapons such as Javelin antitank missiles and Switchblade “kamikaze” drones, provided by the United States and other allies. Russia has used an array of weapons against Ukraine, some of which have drawn the attention and concern of analysts. Russia appears set to resume ground offensives, with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu telling troops on Saturday to intensify attacks “in all operational sectors” of Ukraine.

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Russia set conditions for Brittney Griner trade with United States (MARCA.com)

The Kremlin said Friday that it's open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned ...

He said: "If we discuss any nuances related to the issue of exchange via media, no exchange will ever take place." Griner was arrested as she was returning to play for a team in Russia, where she has competed since 2014. "The Americans often have trouble observing agreements on calm and professional work." "We were separated by just one person at the discussion table, but I didn't feel his desire to catch me. The politically charged case comes amid high tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia's military action in Ukraine. "If the Americans again try to engage in public diplomacy and make loud statements about their intention to take certain steps, it's their business, I would even say their problem," Lavrov said.

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American star Brittney Griner jailed for nine years in Russia (Peoples Gazette)

The court in Moscow convicted Ms Griner of smuggling and possessing narcotics.

However, she maintained that she had packed in a hurry and did not intend to break the law. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages. The court in Moscow convicted Ms Griner of smuggling and possessing narcotics. She has been held since then on drug smuggling charges punishable by up to 10 years The court in Moscow convicted Ms Griner of smuggling and possessing narcotics. American star Brittney Griner jailed for nine years in Russia

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Russia 'ready to discuss' prisoner swap but will resist pressure to ... (The Guardian)

After Griner received nine-year prison sentence on drug charges, Sergei Lavrov warns Russia won't tolerate 'megaphone diplomacy'

“These swaps will never happen if we start discussing any nuances of the exchange in the press,” he told reporters on Friday. “I know everybody keeps talking about ‘political pawn’ and ‘politics’, but I hope that is far from this courtroom,” Griner said in a closing statement on Thursday. But Lavrov also warned that Russia would not respond to “megaphone diplomacy”, demanding that any negotiations be carried out discreetly.

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Kremlin says Brittney Griner prisoner swap with USA must be ... (Sky Sports)

A judge convicted Griner, 31, on Thursday of drug possession and smuggling, and sentenced her to nine years in prison. Griner, recognised as one of the greatest ...

If the Americans decide to rely on public diplomacy and make loud statements that they are going to take some steps that is their problem" - Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov No matter what anyone says publicly, this channel remains relevant. "There is a special channel agreed upon by presidents.

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Russian court jails US basketball player Brittney Griner for nine ... (The Guardian)

Griner sentenced and fined 1m roubles in politically charged verdict that could lead to prisoner swap with the US.

“I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population. “I never meant to hurt anybody,” Griner said in her closing statement. He claimed that the US said Russia offered a trade for Bout in 2020 shortly after Whelan’s conviction on spying charges. US officials say Russia wants to swap Griner and Paul Whelan, a former US marine arrested on spying charges in 2020, for the convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. The exchange at an airfield in Turkey recalled a cold war thriller, as the two men walked past each other to board planes back to their respective countries. Griner’s defence team said they were “disappointed” by the verdict and would appeal.

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Brittney Griner: US basketball star jailed for nine years on drug ... (BBC News)

Griner, 31, admitted possessing cannabis oil but told the court she made an "honest mistake". But the court convicted her of smuggling and possessing narcotics, ...

"It's a serious proposal. When we saw Brittney on Tuesday, we told her, 'See you on Thursday'. She said, 'See you on doomsday'. So it looks like she was right." We urge them to accept it. Griner also said she had received neither an explanation of her rights nor access to a lawyer in the initial hours of her detention, and that she had to use a translation app on her phone to communicate. "She can hardly talk. She had come to Russia to play club basketball during the US off-season.

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Brittney Griner gets a harsh 9-year prison sentence for drug ... (MARCA.com)

WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison on Thursday with charges of drug possession and smuggling.

The U.S. State Department maintains that Griner was wrongfully detained but the Russian Government still decided to slap this hefty sentence on the WNBA star. There was still hope for her to not be declared guilty but this sentence leaves the ball on the U.S. Government's court. This is the speech Brittney Griner gave to Russian court on Thursday: "I never meant to hurt anybody. I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population. The American Government took action late with her case, they weren't able to get her home in due time and she will get 9-years in prison. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison on Thursday with charges of drug possession and smuggling.

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Closing arguments in Brittney Griner's drug case in Russia (Daily Sun)

Closing arguments in Brittney Griner's cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday, nearly six months after the American basketball star was ...

They have presented character witnesses from the Russian team that she plays for in the WNBA off-season and written testimony from a doctor who said he prescribed her cannabis for pain treatment. They remained poker-faced, urging Washington to discuss the issue through “quiet diplomacy without releases of speculative information.” She declined to elaborate. The Lavrov-Blinken call marked the highest-level known contact between Washington and Moscow since Russia sent troops into Ukraine more than five months ago. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Closing arguments in Brittney Griner’s cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday, nearly six months after the American basketball star was arrested at a Moscow airport in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy.

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Russian prosecutors seek long jail term for U.S. basketball star ... (P.M. News)

Russian prosecutors ask Moscow court to sentence American basketball star Brittney Griner to 9 1/2 years in prison over cannabis possession.

She declined to elaborate. The Lavrov-Blinken call marked the highest-level known contact between Washington and Moscow since Russia sent troops into Ukraine more than five months ago. Alexander Boikov, another Griner lawyer, said during closing arguments that some of the case files in relation to Griner were drawn up in violation of the law. A lawyer on Griner’s defense team, Maria Blagovolina, argued that Griner brought the cartridges with her to Russia inadvertently and only used cannabis as medicine and only while in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal. They have presented character witnesses from the Russian team that she plays for in the WNBA off-season and written testimony from a doctor who said he prescribed her cannabis for pain treatment. Lawyers for the Phoenix Mercury center and two-time Olympic gold medalist have pursued strategies to bolster Griner’s contention that she had no criminal intent and that the canisters ended up in her luggage due to hasty packing.

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Russian prosecutor asks court for a nearly 10-year sentence for ... (NPR)

Griner's defense attorney called for her to be acquitted, or for the court to show leniency in any punishment she's given, as the month-long trial in Russia ...

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Russian court gives Brittney Griner nine years on drugs charges (Aljazeera.com)

Joe Biden calls the sentence against the WNBA star, who was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, 'unacceptable'.

“I still don’t understand to this day how they ended up in my bag,” she told the court on July 27. She apologised to her family, teammates, and her spouse. Blinken said on Thursday the sentence against Griner “further compounds the injustice of her wrongful detention”, promising to continue to push to bring her “home”. “Taking into account the amount of the substance – not to mention the defects of the expertise – and the plea, the verdict is absolutely unreasonable,” her defence team said in a statement. “I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never intended to break Russian law,” Griner said through a translator while standing in the metal cage reserved for defendants in Russian courtrooms. Sotnikova had said on Thursday that Griner committed the crime “deliberately”. But Griner had testified during the trial it was a mistake.

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Brittney Griner: I made a mistake and I hope it doesn't end my life (MARCA.com)

Brittney Griner says she made "an honest mistake" and asked for leniency at the close of her drug-smuggling trial, with a verdict expected to for Thursday.

I had no intent. "I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here," Griner, 31, said in the Khimki city courthouse. Brittney Griner says she made "an honest mistake" and asked for leniency at the close of her drug-smuggling trial, with a verdict expected to for Thursday.

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Brittney Griner: Rurangiranwa muri Basketball yaciriwe gupfungwa ... (BBC News)

Sentare yo mu Burusiya yaciriye urubanza umukinyi rurangiranwa wa Basketball wo muri Amerika Brittney Griner gupfungwa imyaka umunani yagirizwa ...

Sentare yo mu Burusiya yaciriye urubanza umukinyi rurangiranwa wa Basketball wo muri Amerika Brittney Griner gupfungwa imyaka umunani yagirizwa ibiyayuramutwe. Cannabis ntirekuwe mu Burusiya. Umugwi w'ababuranira Griner wavuze ko bashobora kwunguruza kuri ico cemezo cafashwe kuri uyu wa kane na sentare ya Khimiki iri irunde ya Moscou. Brittney Griner: Rurangiranwa muri Basketball yaciriwe gupfungwa imyaka 9 azira gufatanwa ibiyayuramutwe

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Brittney Griner Update: All the reaction to Griners conviction (MARCA.com)

Biden reacts Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wr.

Let's start with that horrific nickname, 'The Merchant of Death'. Viktor Bout is arguably the most notorious arms dealer in modern history. We will be following the final day of the Brittney Griner trial live here on MARCA in English, with updates to follow below. He had been providing arms to third world countries for decades by 2010. So, I was wheelchair-bound. When he was captured, it all happened at a hotel in Bangkok after luring him to close a fake arms deal worth millions of dollars. As legal professionals, we believe that the court should be fair to everyone regardless of nationality. The court completely ignored all the evidence of the defense, and most importantly, the guilty plea. Cannabis is illegal in Russia for both medicinal and recreational use. I had no intent. She was also fined 1 million rubles, whch is about $16,400. We will certainly file an appeal." "I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here," Griner said in court.

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Russian prosecutor demands prison for Griner, lawyer asks for ... (CNBC)

A Russian prosecutor called for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner to be sentenced to 10 years in prison on drugs charges.

If the court does deem it necessary to punish her, Blagovolina said, then she should receive the most lenient punishment. They argue that Griner, known as "BG" to basketball fans, violated the country's laws and should be judged accordingly. A Russian prosecutor on Thursday demanded U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner be sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison on drugs charges but her lawyers invoked sporting legends Usain Bolt and Michael Schumacher to plead that she be acquitted. The United States has said Griner was wrongfully detained and made what Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a "substantial offer" to Moscow to exchange Russian prisoners for American citizens held in Russia, including Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan. - A Russian prosecutor demanded the U.S. basketball star be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. - The U.S. has made Russia a swap offer.

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Russian prosecutors demand more than nine years in jail for Brittney ... (The Guardian)

Russian prosecutors have asked for the US basketball player Brittney Griner to be sentenced to nine and a half years in prison, as the Kremlin wraps up her ...

Police special forces with bomb-sniffing dogs patrolled the small building and court officials said they would allow more cameras into the room if a verdict was delivered. The exchange at an airfield in Turkey resembled a scene from a cold war thriller, as the two men walked past each other to board planes back to their respective countries. Prosecutors in the Russian court said Griner’s arrest on drug charges was “fully proven” and demanded she serve nearly a decade in a high-security prison and pay a large fine.

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Brittney Griner: Russian judge sentences WNBA star to nine years in ... (Sky Sports)

WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested in Moscow in February after vape cartridges with cannabis oil were found in her luggage.

Russian media have speculated repeatedly that Griner could be swapped for Bout, nicknamed 'the Merchant of Death', who is serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiracy to kill US citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organisation. On July 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home Griner and Whelan in a sharp reversal of previous policy. Her lawyers introduced evidence that Griner was using the medicinal cannabis for chronic pain and injuries sustained during her career and included a letter from her doctor. She was the No 1 pick by Phoenix in the 2013 draft. ... It is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home." Her plight has been highlighted by supporters at home, including top athletes, especially after little news emerged about her initial weeks of detention in Russia, where she had limited access to US diplomats. The US State Department had earlier declared Griner to be "wrongfully detained" - a charge that Russia has sharply rejected. She also said she was not informed of her rights. Griner has 10 days to appeal, and her lawyers say they expect a hearing in Moscow regional court next week. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last month the "necessary judicial procedures" must be completed before other steps can be taken. Defence attorney Maria Blagovolina told reporters later that Griner was "very upset, very stressed. It's a difficult time for her".

Statement by President Joe Biden on the Sentencing of Wrongfully ... (The White House)

Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully.

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Texan basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years (Texas Tribune)

Griner's allies remain hopeful President Joe Biden will secure a prisoner swap, much like he did earlier this year with another Texan, ex-Marine Trevor ...

Griner was a star on the Baylor University Lady Bears basketball team from 2009-13. See the growing speaker list and buy tickets. Griner apologized during Thursday’s proceedings, saying she accidentally rushed her packing to play professional basketball in Russia and “had no intent to break Russian law.” Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. But there are also specific concerns about the treatment of Griner, who is gay, in a country known for homophobic persecution. “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” he said.

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A Russian court sentences WNBA star Brittney Griner to 9 years on ... (knkx.org)

The ruling came nearly six months after Griner was detained. Russia has indicated that any potential deal or prisoner swap to secure her release would have ...

The effort to free Griner has grown from her fans and fellow basketball players to include a much broader circle. said defense counsel Maria Blagovolina. "It shows that Brittney Griner used marijuana only at home and only in very small doses and that she had no intention to bring the substance into Russia." Griner is a star center for the Phoenix Mercury. But like many WNBA players, she plays in overseas leagues during the U.S. league's offseason, earning far more than her WNBA salary. The Olympian and NBA champion says she must have put the cannabis in her bag by mistake. "It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates," he added. But personal cannabis possession is illegal under any circumstances in Russia, similar to U.S. federal law. The judge sentenced Griner to nine years in prison. The 31-year-old also spoke on her own behalf. MOSCOW — A Russian court has found Brittney Griner guilty on drug smuggling and possession charges. In their closing arguments, Griner's defense attorneys cited Griner's contributions to the growth of Russian women's basketball and detailed irregularities in her arrest and detention — including a lack of access to qualified translators — in arguing for Griner's acquittal or at least a lenient sentence. " Her charges carried up to 10 years, and the Russian prosecution had requested a sentence of nine years and six months in a penal colony.

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Brittney Griner, a brilliant career overshadowed by a nine-year ... (MARCA.com)

American basketball player Brittney Griner, who has had a brilliant career in the sport of basketball, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for drug ...

A key player in the US team, she won the world championship in Turkey in October 2014, when they beat Spain, and she was included in the team of the tournament. She won the WNBA title with them in 2014 and was a finalist in 2021, when they were beaten by Chicago Sky. Born in Houston, Texas, on October 18, 1990, she was a member of the Baylor University team in Texas, where she played from 2009 to 2013.

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