A judge in Russia convicted Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling, sentencing her to nine years in prison. Biden called the sentence “unacceptable” and said his admin would continue to 'pursue every possible avenue' to bring her home.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the guilty verdict and nine-year sentence handed by a Russian court to American basketball star Brittney Griner is “unacceptable,” calling for her immediate release.
“My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely,” Biden said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who discussed a proposal to bring the American detainees home with his Russian counterpart last week, said Griner’s sentencing “further compounds the injustice of her wrongful detention.”
“This step puts a spotlight on our significant concerns with Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda, using individuals as political pawns,” Blinken said. The 31-year-old was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison Thursday, after she was found guilty of possession and smuggling of cannabis oil.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brittney Griner trial: Judge sentences Griner to 9 years in prisonBREAKING: A judge in Russia has sentenced American basketball player Brittney Griner on drug charges to nine years in prison.
Read more »
Brittney Griner Convicted of Drug Smuggling in Russia: Celebrities ReactWNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison after six months of detention in the country — read more
Read more »
Former Baylor star Brittney Griner back in Russian court on cannabis chargeKHIMKI, Russia — American basketball star Brittney Griner was back in court on Tuesday for her trial for cannabis possession amid U.S. diplomatic efforts to...
Read more »
WNBA's Griner convicted at drug trial, sentenced to 9 yearsA judge in Russia has convicted American basketball star Brittney Griner of drug possession and smuggling and sentenced her to nine years in prison.
Read more »