A Russian court sentenced Brittney Griner to 9 years in prison after finding her guilty of cannabis possession and smuggling. Her claims that she “made an honest mistake” and her tears did not appear to help her case.
“I want the court to understand that this was an honest mistake that I made while rushing, under stress, trying to recover from COVID and just trying to get back to my team,” Griner said, referring to her packing marijuana vapes in her baggage on her trip to Russia in February.
“I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that is far from this courtroom,” she added. “I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling, that it doesn’t end my life here.
A statement released by the White House on behalf of Preisdent Joe Biden reads, “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney." The statement continues, “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”
Griner pleaded guilty to the charges, and said she did not mean to break Russian law when packing for her trip. She was suppose to play for a Russian team during the WNBA off-season.
Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to accept a deal under which Griner and another prisoner, Paul Whelan would be traded for Viktor Bout, a jailed arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.”