KHIMKI — A Russian court sentenced U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on Thursday after finding her guilty of deliberately bringing…
Griner was arrested in mid-February, and her case threw the Texan athlete into the geopolitical maelstrom triggered when President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, propelling U.S.-Russian relations to a new post-Cold War low.
Biden, under pressure to help free Americans held in Russia, called on Russia to release Griner immediately and said his administration would continue to work for her release. Griner’s defense lawyers said they would appeal. The defense team said that in sentencing the court had ignored all evidence they had presented as well as Griner’s guilty plea. They said they were “disappointed” by the verdict.Article content
“My parents taught me two important things: one, take ownership of your responsibilities and two, work hard for everything that you have. That’s why I pled guilty to my charges.”Article content“I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that is far from this courtroom,” Griner said.Griner’s defense team had called for her to be acquitted.
The United States has offered to exchange Russian prisoners for American citizens including Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan. Griner appeared at the hearing in a grey T-shirt and round-rimmed glasses. Before taking a seat in the defendant’s cage, she held up a team picture of UMMC Ekaterinburg, the team she played for in Russia during the WNBA offseason.
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