WNBA star Brittney Griner has been sentenced by a Russian court to nine years in prison with a fine of 1 million rubles (about $16,400), Judge Anna Sotnikova of the Khimki city court in Russia said on Tuesday. Thursday (4).
The court said it took into account his partial admission of guilt, remorse for the act, state of health and charitable activities.
Griner was found guilty of drug smuggling, a crime the judge said she committed deliberately. She was arrested with less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17.
She said it was “an honest mistake” that happened when she packed her bags in a hurry.
His lawyers argued that if Griner ever used medical marijuana, it was only at home in Arizona, where it’s legal, very rarely, in the short periods between competitions and on vacation, only under a doctor’s prescription for his intense pain from Sports Injuries. .
The two-time Olympic gold medalist apologized in her final court statement on Thursday and asked for leniency from the court, explaining that she had no intention of violating any Russian laws.
US response
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that basketball star Brittney Griner’s sentence to nine years in prison on drug charges in Russia was “unacceptable” and urged Moscow to release her immediately.
“Today, US citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is yet another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is unfairly detaining Brittney,” Biden said in a statement.
“It is unacceptable and I ask Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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