UPDATED 8/4/22 10:25AM
KHIMKI, Russia (AP) – A Russian judge says US basketball star Brittney Griner should serve a prison sentence for drug possession and smuggling.
The judge has sentenced American basketball player Brittney Griner on drug charges to nine years in prison.
The sentence does not stop diplomatic efforts to get Griner released, along with Paul Whelan, another American being held in prison since. Griner was detained in February after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage at an airport in Moscow.
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UPDATED: 8/4/22 9:35AM
KHIMKI, Russia -Fox Radio News (WBAP/KLIF) – In a Russian courtroom this morning, US women’s basketball star Brittney Griner was found found guilty of drug possession and smuggling charges with criminal. The judge in the case is expected to issue a verdict soon.
Griner could face up to 10 years in jail for the charge, and prosecutors asked for 9.5 years in closing arguments.
Prior to the verdict, Griner apologized to the court and asked for leniency in an emotional speech.
“I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here. I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom.”
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UPDATED: 8:51AM
KHIMKI, Russia -Fox Radio News (WBAP/KLIF)- WNBA star and Baylor alum Brittney Griner has reportedly asked for mercy as a verdict is pending at her trial on drug possession charges in Russia.
Griner has been detained since February when vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage at a Moscow airport.
At one point in her testimony, her tone turned emotional as she said she has always followed the rules and tried to never let down her team.
“My career is my whole life,” she said. “I dedicated everything — time, my body, time away from my family. I spent six months out of the year away from everybody, and with a huge time difference.”
Her arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington ahead of Russia sending troops into Ukraine later that month. T
Russian prosecutors this morning sought a 9 1/2 year prison sentence for Griner. That, as the US offered the release of notorious Russian arms dealer Victor Bout last week in exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, aother American who has been detained in Russia for the past four year son espionage charges.
A verdict in the Griner case is expected within the hour.
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Original post;
Associated Press KHIMKI, Russia (AP) – Russian prosecutors have asked a court outside Moscow to sentence American basketball star Brittney Griner to 9 1/2 years in prison on cannabis possession charges. Closing arguments in Griner’s trial are taking place Thursday, nearly six months after her arrest at a Moscow airport and subsequent detention in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy. Although a conviction appears almost certain, given that Russian courts rarely acquit defendants and Griner has acknowledged having vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage, judges have considerable latitude on sentencing.
(Associated Press)
