In a shocking turn of events, WNBA player Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug charges by a Moscow court on Thursday and was given a harsh 9-year sentence. In a prolonged trial set against the strained political tension between America and Russia, Griner entered a guilty plea last month.
Following Thursday’s final arguments, the prosecution requested a nine-and-a-half-year sentence. An emotional Griner apologized and reiterated that she never meant to violate any Russian laws but had made “an honest mistake” in her final request for forgiveness. Only a few hours later, Judge Anna Sotnikova came back to inform her that she had been found responsible for narcotics possession and smuggling. Griner, 31, will be required to pay a $16,590 fine but has the right to appeal the decision.
The possibility of a prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow will now come under discussion. American officials will continue to press for Griner’s release despite dwindling hope for any quick progress.
President Joe Biden said in a statement shortly after the verdict was handed down, “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison term that is one more 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. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
In a statement to media outside the courthouse, Griner’s legal team claimed that she was “extremely disappointed” and added that they were “quite astonished by the result. Her attorneys claimed that the court “totally overlooked all of the defense’s evidence, and most crucially, the guilty plea.”
Russian investigators claimed to have discovered vape canisters with cannabis oil in Griner’s luggage when they apprehended her at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February. The two-time Olympic gold winner and Phoenix Mercury center Griner acknowledged ownership of the canisters. She claimed that after hastily packing her luggage, she mistakenly brought them to Russia.
In the meantime, the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from Griner’s family and teammates to gain her release. The Kremlin has just been accused of exploiting Griner as a political pawn. The American government has suggested that in exchange for the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, Moscow releases Griner as well as another American, Paul Whelan, who is undergoing a 16-year term for espionage.
Links:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9038350/brittney-griner-wnba-sentence/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/to-putin-brittney-griner-is-a-pawn-to-the-us-she-e2-80-99s-a-person/ar-AA10jxFx
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/28/us/politics/griner-bout-hostages-diplomacy.html?searchResultPosition=2
Following Thursday’s final arguments, the prosecution requested a nine-and-a-half-year sentence. An emotional Griner apologized and reiterated that she never meant to violate any Russian laws but had made “an honest mistake” in her final request for forgiveness. Only a few hours later, Judge Anna Sotnikova came back to inform her that she had been found responsible for narcotics possession and smuggling. Griner, 31, will be required to pay a $16,590 fine but has the right to appeal the decision.
The possibility of a prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow will now come under discussion. American officials will continue to press for Griner’s release despite dwindling hope for any quick progress.
President Joe Biden said in a statement shortly after the verdict was handed down, “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison term that is one more 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. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
In a statement to media outside the courthouse, Griner’s legal team claimed that she was “extremely disappointed” and added that they were “quite astonished by the result. Her attorneys claimed that the court “totally overlooked all of the defense’s evidence, and most crucially, the guilty plea.”
Russian investigators claimed to have discovered vape canisters with cannabis oil in Griner’s luggage when they apprehended her at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February. The two-time Olympic gold winner and Phoenix Mercury center Griner acknowledged ownership of the canisters. She claimed that after hastily packing her luggage, she mistakenly brought them to Russia.
In the meantime, the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from Griner’s family and teammates to gain her release. The Kremlin has just been accused of exploiting Griner as a political pawn. The American government has suggested that in exchange for the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, Moscow releases Griner as well as another American, Paul Whelan, who is undergoing a 16-year term for espionage.
Links:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9038350/brittney-griner-wnba-sentence/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/to-putin-brittney-griner-is-a-pawn-to-the-us-she-e2-80-99s-a-person/ar-AA10jxFx
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/28/us/politics/griner-bout-hostages-diplomacy.html?searchResultPosition=2
