Brittney Griner Found Guilty of Drug Possession and Smuggling, Sentenced to 9 Years in Russian Prison

etonline.com:

American basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to 9 years in prison and given a fine of 1 million rubles (approximately $16,500) by a Russian court on Thursday, after she was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling.

Prosecutors had asked that she receive 9 1/2 years in prison.The trial concluded nearly six months after Griner's arrest at a Moscow airport in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy, with Washington proposing a prisoner exchange.

Griner's legal team said she would appeal.«I never meant to hurt anybody to put in jeopardy the Russian population or violate any Russian laws.

I made an honest mistake and I hope that your ruling, that it doesn't end my life here,» Griner told the court earlier Thursday, apologizing to her family, her teammates, her fans, and the Russian people.«I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom… I hope you take into account all the documents, all the character lists that everybody has sent in on my behalf… This is my second home, and all I wanted to do was just win championships and make them proud.»«Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,» President Joe Biden said in response to the verdict. «It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.