The Russian prosecutor is demanding 9.5 years in prison for the imprisoned US basketball player Brittney Griner, which is almost the maximum sentence. The verdict is to be announced today.
The Russian prosecutor is demanding 9.5 years in prison for the US basketball player Brittney Griner, which is almost the maximum possible sentence. In addition, the 31-year-old, who has been held since February and has to answer in court for drug smuggling, is to pay a fine of the equivalent of 16,000 euros.
The maximum sentence would be ten years imprisonment
“I urge the court to find Griner guilty and sentence her to nine years and six months in prison“, prosecutor Nikolai Vlasenko said on Thursday (04.08.2022). The maximum penalty for such an offense in Russia is ten years imprisonment.
Judgment expected later Thursday
The verdict is expected to be announced later today, the New York Times reported, citing a member of Griner’s legal team.
Most recently, the representatives of the two-time Olympic champion had spread hope with a view to the upcoming decision. “We expect a rather mild verdict“said lawyer Alexander Boykov last week. The prosecutor’s demand is a serious setback.
Griner held for violations of national drug laws
Griner faces charges of violating national drug laws in Khimki. The US star player was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after security forces found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner pleaded guilty at the beginning of the trial.
Vlasenko said Griner “deliberately” walked through the corridor for undeclared passengers and said he did so “to hide the substance.”