Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian jail for drug possession and smuggling

WNBA celebrity Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in a Russian jail for drug possession and smuggling. Griner had been discovered responsible of the costs in court docket and at last obtained her sentencing on Thursday.

Griner was arrested in Feb. for carrying hashish oil vape cartridges onto an airplane whereas she was taking part in for her long-time abroad crew UMMC Ekaterinburg. Griner mentioned she made an sincere mistake by carrying the vape cartridges whereas touring. Russian prosecutors had requested for 9.5 years earlier than the ruling. The time she’s served in custody since her arrest will rely in direction of her sentence.

The US and Russian have engaged in conversations a few potential settlement round her launch, however no settlement has been reached but. Earlier this summer time, it was reported that the White Home provided to launch Russian worldwide arms seller Viktor Bout in trade for Griner and fellow American detainee Paul Whelan.

Griner has performed for UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2014 through the WNBA offseason. President Biden issued the next assertion after the sentencing:

Griner was carrying two cartridges that every contained one gram of hashish oil. Individuals can legally buy the identical hashish oil cartridges she was carrying in 19 states for leisure functions.

The WNBA and NBA have issued the next assertion after her sentencing:

WNBA gamers have been urging Russia for her launch all season. Gamers wore jerseys with Griner’s title and No. 42 on the again through the second half of the 2022 WNBA All-Star Sport.

Photograph by Mary Kate Ridgway/NBAE through Getty Photographs

Now that Griner is sentenced, negotiations between the US and Russia may start to get extra critical.

We’ll replace this story because it develops.