Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Brittney Griner was sentenced to prison. PDO
Basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia on Thursday for drug possession and smuggling.
After the trial, Griner was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. According to Reuters, Griner was in tears.
– I love my family, Griner said with a trembling voice as he walked out of the courtroom.
Griner’s attorney Maria Blagovolina commented on his client’s condition outside the courtroom.
– He is very disappointed, very stressed. He can barely speak. This is a tough time for him.
– When we saw Brittney on Tuesday, we told her that we would see each other on Thursday. He replied that he will see you on judgment day. He was clearly right, Balogvolina continued.
Griner is considered a political prisoner. US President Joe Biden lashed out after Griner’s verdict.
– Russia arrested Griner on the wrong grounds. It is not acceptable and I demand that Russia release him immediately so he can be with his family, friends and wife,” Biden said in a statement, according to ESPN.
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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert also released a statement following Griner’s sentencing.
– Today’s sentence is unfounded, but as expected and Brittney Griner remains detained on false grounds.
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Appealed to the court
Griner was arrested in February at the Moscow airport when e-cigarette cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in his suitcase.
Griner said in his final statement Thursday that the e-cigarette cartridges ended up in his suitcase by accident. He said it was an honest mistake and he did not intend to break the law.
He admitted in July that he was guilty of smuggling, but stressed that he did not intend to break the law.
– My parents taught me two important things: take responsibility for your responsibilities and work hard for everything you have. That’s why I pleaded guilty. I understand that everything will be used against me. But I had no intention of violating Russian law,” Griner said in a statement earlier Thursday, according to Reuters.
Griner appealed to the court and said the mistake was made due to haste, stress.
– I hope your decision does not end my life here.
– My intention was not to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean to put the Russian people at risk and I’m not breaking any laws here.
Griner also apologized to his teammates as well as his family and wife.