A Russian court on Thursday found US basketball star Brittney Griner guilty of “criminal intent” drug trafficking in a case fraught with political charges that have disrupted already strained relations with the US.
The court decision was pending and came shortly after state prosecutors in Moscow recommended a 9 1/2-year prison sentence for the women’s basketball star.
Earlier this year, he was arrested when vape cartridges containing a small amount of hemp oil were found in his luggage on his way to Moscow to play in a women’s basketball league. She said that marijuana was for medicinal purposes and she didn’t realize she had put it in when she was packing it.
The Biden administration pushed for his release and took the unusual step of making public a prisoner swap offer to the Kremlin that would allow him to return home. Russian officials said any settlement would have to wait until the court decides on his case.
Before the verdict was announced, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury star center apologized and apologized to the court for saying it was an “honest mistake”.
“I hope you don’t end my life with your decision,” he said.
• This story is partially based on wire service reports.
Source : https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/aug/4/brittney-griner-us-basketball-star-convicted-russi/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
