El Russian court has convicted the American basketball player Brittney Griner for possession of drugs and attempted smuggling in Russia and has sentenced her to nine years in prison, almost the maximum sentence that the Russian prosecutor had requested for the WNBA and Ekateriburg star. The player has been held in Musk since February accused of smuggling for carrying a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when trying to enter Russia. “I made an unintentional mistake and I hope it doesn’t end my life,” she said during the trial.
The pvot of 31 years and 2.06 meterswho had pleaded guilty, used the sentimental trick before hearing the sentence and held a photo of her teammates from the team from inside her cell. UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian basketball team I played for during the WNBA offseason. Numerous foreign players who have played in Russian teams, among many others Marta Xargay and Anna Cruzhave made a campaign to support the American.
I made an unintentional mistake and I hope it doesn’t end my life.”
The two-time US basketball Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty to drug charges last month in what her lawyers say it was an attempt to take responsibility and receive clemency if she is ultimately found guilty and sentenced.
The Griner’s case has already become a diplomatic problem. Joe Biden, president of the United States, has received a lot of pressure to try to return the player to his country. He has even proposed an exchange of prisoners between the pvot and a former marine accused of espionage with a Russian arms dealer who is being held in the United States. The American player will appeal, but in Russia a reduction in the sentence is not frequent.
