Brittney Griner, the American women’s basketball star, is sentenced to 9 years in prison in Russia for drug trafficking.
Brittney Griner is an icon and reference for several reasons. The first for being one of the most important female athletes of the moment, the most famous basketball player in the United States. And the second for living her homosexuality openly. Last February 2022 she was arrested at the Russian airport in Moscow. And she is now convicted of carrying less than a gram of cannabis oil in her suitcase.
Above: American basketball player for the Russian UMMC team Brittney Griner with his wife Cherelle Griner. photo via @brittneyyevettegriner
The American player of the Russian UMMC team trained with her national team. photo via @brittneyyevettegriner
Arrested in Russia for transporting drugs and sentenced to 9 years in prison.
Brittney Griner, WNBA star, the US women’s professional basketball league, has been found guilty of smuggling drugs into Russia. And the Russian judge Anna Sotnikova has declared sentence this week: 9 years in jail, plus a fine of 1 million rubles, approximately 16,500 euros. And it could have been more. The judge stated that she had taken into account the admission of part of the fault, the remorse of the basketball player, as well as her state of health and the charitable actions carried out by her.
Brittney Griner, the 31-year-old basketball player and 2.03 meters tall in a match with the United States team. photo via @brittneyyevettegriner
This was Brittney Griner’s plea in her defense
These were the words of the basketball player asking for mercy in court: “I never wanted to hurt anyone, I never wanted to endanger the Russian population, I never wanted to break any Russian law. I made a mistake and I hope your verdict doesn’t end my life here. I know everyone is still talking about being a political pawn but I hope that’s far from this courtroom,” said Brittney Griner in relation to comments in the US press about what was being victim of the war between Russia and Ukraine in which the United States is also indirectly involved. And he added: “I want to say again that I did not intend to violate any Russian law. I had no intention. I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime.”
Brittney Griner, former player for the Phoenix Mercury basketball team. photo via @brittneyyevettegriner
Now, the lawyers of the famous basketball player will appeal the sentence.
Alexander Boykov and Maria Blagovolina are the attorneys for Brittney Griner. They now have 10 days to appeal to the court. This is what they have declared to the American press. CNN echoes: “We are very disappointed by the verdict. As legal professionals we believe that the court should be fair to everyone, regardless of their nationality. The court ignored the defense evidence and more importantly the guilty plea. And this contradicts existing legal practice. Considering the amount of substance, the verdict is totally unreasonable and we will appeal the sentence.”
Cherelle Griner and Brittney pose in the colors of the American flag. The wife of the basketball player affirms in the post of this publication on Instagram that she has received calls of support from the President of the United States Biden, and Vice President Harris. Photo via: @cherelletgriner
Brittney Griner’s problems with the law
It seems obvious that 31-year-old American basketball player he would not be a persona grata to the Russian government. On the one hand, because of his homosexuality, a condition still persecuted in Russia. And, on the other, for being an American when relations between the two countries are at their worst since the years of the Cold War. And if all this is added to the fact that Britney Griner was caught at the Moscow airport with cannabis oil, it seems that they position the international basketball star as a perfect scapegoat. Furthermore, the amount of cannabis seized was less than a gram, and his lawyers say the average sentence for that amount is 5 years. And he added that a third of those convicted usually get parole. But this is not the first time that the double Olympic basketball medalist for the United States has had problems with the law.
Brittney Griner poses in the uniform of her current basketball team in Russia, the UMMC Ekaterinburg. Photo via: @brittneyyevettegriner
In 2013, Brittney Griner publicly announced her homosexuality. A year later he announced his formal relationship with another professional basketball player, Glory Johson. And in 2015 she was accused of domestic violence by her now ex-partner. She now she the basketball player of the Russian team UMMC EkaterinburgBrittney Griner, lives a happy sentimental relationship with a lawyer, Cherelle Watson, officially Cherelle Grinner since 2019. We hope that this nightmare will pass soon and justice will not be merciless with the player who declared that on some occasion she had used marijuana by medical prescription, but never in Russia, but that “in her haste she accidentally put the cannabis in the suitcase” . Luck!
The player professional basketball Brittney Griner with his wife Cherelle Griner. Photo via: @brittneyyevettegriner
