Almost the maximum sentence for Brittney Griner: The US basketball star has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for drug smuggling.
Locked in a cage, Brittney Griner stood in court awaiting her verdict. Despite the worst fears, it hit the basketball star from the USA like a hammer blow.
Griner was jailed for nine years in Russia for drug smuggling, while judge Anna Sotnikova was only six months short of the prosecutor’s demand and only a year short of the maximum sentence. Griner has been in prison since February, and now the 31-year-old only hopes for a prisoner exchange.
“I made a mistake and I hope your judgment doesn’t end my life here,” Griner pleaded. But the court in Chimki showed no mercy.
US President Joe Biden called the decision “unacceptable. I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be reunited with her wife, relatives and teammates.”
Russia makes an example of Griner
Prosecutors and defense have the right to appeal. The American’s legal team immediately announced this step, but the chances of bringing about a significant reduction are likely to be slim.
“I call on the court to find Griner guilty and to sentence her to nine years and six months in prison,” prosecutor Nikolai Vlasenko had demanded hours before the verdict. The maximum penalty for such an offense in Russia is ten years imprisonment, and the court almost completely exhausted its options.
Most recently, the representatives of the two-time Olympic champion had spread hope. “We expect a rather mild verdict,” said attorney Alexander Boykov. His assessment was obviously wrong.
Vape cartridges with cannabis oil as a trigger
Griner has been facing drug-related violations since the July 1 trial began when she was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after arriving from the United States after security forces found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner pleaded guilty at the beginning of the trial, but denied intentional drug smuggling.
Vlasenko said Griner “deliberately” walked through the corridor for undeclared passengers and said he did so “to hide the substance.” Griner, on the other hand, explained that she “packed quickly” and had no intention of taking the substances in Russia.
Boykov emphasized that his client only used cannabis “occasionally” to relieve pain, even in the United States. The court didn’t care, the substance is also banned for medicinal purposes in Russia.
The case continues
Griner (actually) plays in the US professional league WNBA for Phoenix Mercury and became champion with the team in 2014. Since she has been playing for UMMC Yekaterinburg during the WNBA break for eight years now, she flew to Moscow a few days before the Russian attack on Ukraine – and became a political pawn.
Biden had contacted Griner’s wife Cherelle the previous month and assured him that he would work for “the fastest possible release”. All efforts have so far been unsuccessful, but it was also clear that the court process would be brought to an end first.
Negotiations are going on behind the scenes, Griner’s lawyers are not involved in the talks about a possible prisoner swap. The Griner case continues.