WNBA star Brittney Griner is being sentenced to 9 years in prison after being found guilty of drug charges in a Russian court. Griner, 31 pled guilty to drug charges and has been jailed in Russia since February after authorities there claim they found a vape cartridge with under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist is at the center of a proposed “prisoner swap” that the White House is trying to negotiate that involves a Russian arms dealer jailed in the U.S. The Kremlin has been blamed of using Griner as a political pawn.
President Biden says Russia is wrongfully detaining Griner. In a statement out this morning, Biden said he’s calling on Russia to release her immediately “so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”
WNBA star Brittney Griner is being sentenced to 9 years in prison after being found guilty of drug charges in a Russian court. Griner, 31 pled guilty to drug charges and has been jailed in Russia since February after authorities there claim they found a vape cartridge with under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist is at the center of a proposed “prisoner swap” that the White House is trying to negotiate that involves a Russian arms dealer jailed in the U.S. The Kremlin has been blamed of using Griner as a political pawn.
President Biden says Russia is wrongfully detaining Griner. In a statement out this morning, Biden said he’s calling on Russia to release her immediately “so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”
Brittney Griner gave a key statement in her trial just ahead of the verdict in her drug case being handed down later today. The Phoenix Mercury star pleaded for leniency in her closing statement. “I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws. I had no intent. I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime,” Griner shared in the courtroom.
Griner apologized to both her WNBA and Russian teams along with her fans. Griner, 31, expressed her desire for any political discussions surrounding her case not to play a factor. She said she hopes any talk about politics and her being used as a “political pawn” is kept far from the courtroom. She said she made “an honest mistake,” adding “I hope in your ruling it does not end my life.”
The American Basketball star faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Griner plead guilty in July in an effort to gain leniency after having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport in Moscow back in February.
Russian prosecutors are asking for Griner to be sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison.
Monday night, Women’s National Basketball Players Association Executive Director, Terri Jackson was interviewed on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Jackson spoke to Trevor about Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for five months.
The Phoenix Mercury star entered a guilty plea over a week ago while saying she “didn’t want to break the law.” The guilty plea aids as a pre-condition for consideration of a negotiated release and possible prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.
Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.
Jakson explains why the WNBA was told not to respond or comment publicly when Griner was first detained. She also shared comments that many people feel Griner is being used as a political pawn. Griner “should not be a political pawn,” Jackson continued. “We are BG,” calling on the Biden administration, what comes next and much more in the clip below.
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Last night, Women’s National Basketball Players Association Executive Director, Terri Jackson was interviewed on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Jackson spoke to Trevor about Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for five months.
The Phoenix Mercury star entered a guilty plea over a week ago while saying she “didn’t want to break the law.” The guilty plea aids as a pre-condition for consideration of a negotiated release and possible prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.
Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.
Jakson explains why the WNBA was told not to respond or comment publicly when Griner was first detained. She also shared comments that many people feel Griner is being used as a political pawn. Griner “should not be a political pawn,” Jackson continued. “We are BG,” calling on the Biden administration, what comes next and much more in the clip below.
Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.
LeBron James suggested WNBA star Brittney Griner should question if she ever wants to return back to the United States after being detained in Russia for over 120 days.
During a promo for his HBO show, The Shop, King James says “How can she feel like America has her back?” He then added, “I would be feeling, ‘do I even want to go back to America?’”
The Phoenix Mercury center has been held in Moscow since February as she’s accused of having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces charges that could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner says she’s “terrified” she may be held in Russian custody “forever.” She revealed in a handwritten letter sent to the White House in which she pleaded for her freedom.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”
Ginger, 31, continued, “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you.”
The Kremlin has been blamed for using Griner as a political pawn while the State Department has said the American basketball center was “wrongfully detained. The White House says the POTUS is committed to bringing home all Americans who are imprisoned overseas.
James, 37, later went to social media to explain his comments on Griner.
“My comments on ‘The Shop’ regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country,” he tweeted. “I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome”
Watch the promo for the episode that airs on Friday below.
WNBA star Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty during her trial in Moscow. Reuters says she entered her plea today while saying she “didn’t want to break the law.” The guilty plea aids as a pre-condition for consideration of a negotiated release and possible prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.
The Phoenix Mercury star has remained in custody for over 120 days. Griner was accused of having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport in Moscow back in February.
The Kremlin has been blamed of using Griner as a political pawn while the State Department has said the American basketball center was “wrongfully detained.”
According to CNBC, Griner’s lawyer, Alexander Boikov, told reporters outside the courtroom that the basketball star admitted that the vape canisters were hers, but said she brought them into Russia unintentionally.
Ginger, 31, was playing for the Russian Premier League when she was arrested. The former Baylor Bear won the 2012 National Championship and she won the WNBA title in 2014 with the Phoenix Mercury.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces charges that could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
