A Russian choose has convicted and sentenced American basketball participant Brittney Griner to 9 years in jail for drug possession and smuggling.
President Joe Biden described the jail time period as “unacceptable” and referred to as for her quick launch.
Judge Anna Sotnikova mentioned the time Griner has served in custody since her arrest in February would rely in direction of the sentence.
Griner reacted to the time period with little emotion and listened to the decision with a clean stare on her face, because the choose handed down her sentence and fined the basketball participant 1 million roubles (£13,435).
Mr Biden mentioned in a press release: “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner acquired a jail sentence that’s yet another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.
“It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”
The 31-year-old was arrested at Moscow airport on 17 February after police mentioned they discovered vape canisters containing hashish oil in her baggage.
She pleaded responsible to costs and earlier than the decision was delivered on Thursday, Griner advised the court docket she had no intention to interrupt the legislation when she flew to Russia to play basketball within the metropolis of Yekaterinburg.
“I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling, that it doesn’t end my life here,” she mentioned in court docket on Thursday, earlier than breaking down in tears.
“My parents taught me two important things: one, take ownership of your responsibilities and two, work hard for everything that you have. That’s why I pled guilty to my charges.”
While recapping the proof and giving her findings, the choose mentioned the Phoenix Mercury participant took medicine into Russia illegally.
Griner’s lawyer mentioned they might enchantment the sentence, including that the court docket ignored proof that they had introduced in addition to the responsible plea.
They mentioned they have been “disappointed” by the decision.
The Russian prosecutor had referred to as the two-time Olympic gold medallist to be sentenced to 9-1/2 years jail.
Griner mentioned: “I love my family”, as she was escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has proposed a high-stakes prisoner swap, which might see Griner and Paul Whelan, one other America imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction, go free.
Russian officers hit out at US statements concerning the case, saying a attainable deal needs to be mentioned via “quiet diplomacy without releases of speculative information”.
Source: information.sky.com”