A Russian courtroom on Thursday discovered Phoenix Mercury participant Brittany Griner responsible of drug trafficking and sentenced her to 9 years in jail. Griner has been detained since February 17, when he was detained at a Russian airport after officers discovered a wipe cartridge containing cannabis oil in his baggage. Griner was additionally fined $1 million, which is roughly $16,300.
Griner’s spouse, teammates and fellow WNBA gamers, in addition to athletes from all sports activities, are demanding his launch. The US authorities just lately proposed a prisoner swap that may launch from jail convicted Russian arms seller Victor Bout within the US in trade for Griner and fellow incarcerated American Paul Whelan, who’s at the moment espionage. serving a sentence of 16 years for
After Griner was sentenced to 9 years in jail, President Joe Biden issued a press release calling his continued detention “unacceptable.”
The WNBA and the NBA issued a joint assertion concerning Griner’s sentencing.
As did the WNBA Gamers Affiliation and Mercury.
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Kolas, In a three-part tweet, he wrote:
“At this time’s sentence of Brittany Griner was extreme by Russian authorized requirements and goes to show that everyone knows Brittany is getting used as a political pawn. We recognize and help her efforts.” proceed to do. [President Joe Biden] And [Secretary Antony Blinken] Britney to quick deal to herald Paul [Whelan] And all American properties. The one goal is to convey Brittany and Paul residence, and as such, we should use all out there means. We should stay centered and built-in.
“It is a time of compassion and a shared understanding that it will likely be arduous to strike a deal to convey Individuals residence, however it’s crucial and it’s the proper factor to do.”
There was additionally a show of each resentment and love from lots of her supporters, who’re hoping she’s going to stay robust till the US negotiates her launch.
A number of journalists tweeted essential details about the precise context of Griner’s sentence, noting that after his enchantment ends, the US authorities may match towards getting him residence.