American basketball star Brittney Griner jailed for nine years after being found guilty of drug charges in Russia

dailyrecord.co.uk:

US basketball star Brittney Griner has been jailed for nine years after being found guilty of drug charges in Russia. The 31-year-old was sentenced following her conviction for smuggling 702 grams of cannabis oil with criminal intent in February.

The player admitted to packing in "too great a hurry" and, in the process, took vape cartridges containing the substance in her luggage by accident.

Joe Biden has since hit out at the damning verdict and has vowed to fight for the woman's freedom, reports the Mirror. The US President said: "Ms Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.

It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and team-mates."My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney home safely as soon as possible."The high profile athlete was also fined a million rubles (around £15,000) by the court.