The Griner Sentence

08/05/2022 The Griner Sentence

By: Jeff Yoder

Russian Court Sentences WNBA Star Brittney Griner to 9-Year Prison Sentence for Vape Cartridges

WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted by a Russian court on Thursday and sentenced to nine years in prison. On February 17, Griner was stopped at a Moscow airport security check with vape cartridges containing hashish oil, but she’s been convicted of smuggling drugs with criminal intent. The saga that’s played out over the last six months has been a showcase of wrongful detainment by the Russian government with Griner as a political pawn, and Thursday ruling was the next devastating development.

 

President Biden: “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 [Griner]. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.”

 

The Biden administration previously offered a prisoner swap for Griner and another American detainee, but the Russian government declined. We’ll have more on this story as it develops.

 

Watch: Brittney Griner Speaks in Court During Closing Arguments

 

Additional Storylines

CNN: In Pictures: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Detained in Russia

SI: Phoenix Mercury Focused on Big Picture Amid Griner’s Conviction

CBS Sports: Brittney Griner Situation Explained: WNBA Star Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison

 

Photo: Kirill Kudrayavtsev / Getty Images