Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Russia delivers statement after Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison, calling it 'a miscarriage of justice.'
Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants' cage during the reading of the court's verdict in Khimki, Russia, Aug. 4, 2022."It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates," Biden wrote in the statement. "My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.
"This is a miscarriage of justice," Elizabeth Rood, Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Russia, who has attended each hearing, told reporters outside the court. "The U.S. Department of State has determined that Ms. Griner was wrongfully detained. Nothing in today's decision changes that determination.", saying that the vape cartridges containing hashish oil were in her luggage mistakenly and that she had no "intention" of breaking Russian law.
"Brittney sets an example of being brave. She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows that she is a role model for many people," the lawyers said in the statement. "Considering the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of the substance and BG's personality and history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the plea will be considered by the court as a mitigating factor and there will be no severe sentence.
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