(The Guardian) US basketball star Brittney Griner found guilty by Russian court
A court in Russia has found Brittney Griner, an Americans women’s basketball star, guilty of drug smuggling, Reuters reports.
A prosecutor has called for Griner to receive a nine-and-a-half year sentence for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into the country, but it’s possible Griner could be freed in a prison swap with Russia as the White House faces pressure to get detained Americans out of the country as tensions soar over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner has been sentenced to nine years in prison, Bloomberg reports...
Biden condemns Griner verdict
US president Joe Biden says Moscow “wrongfully detained” basketball star Brittney Griner, and vowed to do everything it can to win her release and that of Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia.
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” Biden said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
A court in Russia has found Brittney Griner, an Americans women’s basketball star, guilty of drug smuggling, Reuters reports.
A prosecutor has called for Griner to receive a nine-and-a-half year sentence for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into the country, but it’s possible Griner could be freed in a prison swap with Russia as the White House faces pressure to get detained Americans out of the country as tensions soar over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner has been sentenced to nine years in prison, Bloomberg reports...
Biden condemns Griner verdict
US president Joe Biden says Moscow “wrongfully detained” basketball star Brittney Griner, and vowed to do everything it can to win her release and that of Paul Whelan, another American detained in Russia.
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” Biden said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
