BREAKING: A Russian court upheld the nine-year prison sentence handed to American basketball star Brittney Griner for drug possession, rejecting her appeal.
Griner, an eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
Griner admitted she had the canisters in her luggage but testified that she inadvertently packed them in haste and had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements saying she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain.MOSCOW - U.S.
Blinken didn’t elaborate, but The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. and once earned the nickname the "merchant of death."The White House said it has not yet received a productive response from Russia to the offer.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian court upholds 9-year sentence against WNBA star Brittney GrinerA Russian court on Tuesday upheld the nine-year prison sentence against American basketball star Brittney Griner whose appeal was denied. Griner was convicted for drug possession on Aug. 4.
Read more »
Russian court hears appeal by Griner against 9-year sentenceMOSCOW (AP) — A Russian court on Tuesday started hearing American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. Griner, an eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted Aug.
Read more »
Russia Moves to Defend Kherson Against Ukraine’s Advance Before WinterMoscow is building “territorial defense” units in the occupied cities, a significant prize from the war’s early days, as Kyiv presses for gains before cold weather complicates the fighting.
Read more »
Russia’s ‘Dirty Bomb’ Warnings Slammed as ‘False Flag’Russia’s defense minister has called a number of world leaders suggesting Ukraine is preparing to launch an attack on Moscow. They’re not having it.
Read more »
Griner lawyer: WNBA star 'pessimistic' about appeal trial, but hoping for sentence reductionBritney Griner’s attorney Maria Blagovolina joins Andrea Mitchell to share how the WNBA player is doing mentally and physically ahead of her appeal hearing for her nine-year sentence in Moscow. “I think Britney herself is quite pessimistic about the outcome,” says Blagovolina. “She hopes there will be some reduction, but not that the verdict will be overruled.”
Read more »