The Phoenix Mercury player has been detained in Russia since mid-February, when authorities said they found cartridges containing hashish oil in her bag. She was convicted of drug possession and smuggling, and sentenced to nine years in prison on Thursday. The verdict comes after the US offered to swap imprisoned Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, joined Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland in blasting Russia for holding her.WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called the verdict “unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected” in a joint statement. “Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained. The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States.
Others who reacted to the news included the WNBA Players Association, which released a thread praising Griner as both a person and athlete. “Given her record of service on and off the court, BG without question deserves compassion and mercy,” the union said. “She deserves to come home.”Arike Ogunbowale, a guard with the Dallas Wings, had previously reflected on playing overseas in Russia, which many WNBA players do to supplement their salaries.
“This is a time for compassion and a shared understanding that getting a deal done to bring Americans home will be hard, but it is urgent and it is the right thing to do,” Colas said.Actor Mia Farrow and Bravo producer Andy Cohen also asserted their support of Griner, as did singer Justin Bieber, who reposted an ESPN Instagram post to his Stories. CNN host Cari Champion called the sentence “expected but still HORRIFYING.
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US basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in prison in RussiaA Russian court on Thursday sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. If you do the crime, you gotta do the time 🤷🏾♀️
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »
Russian court sentences Brittney Griner to nine years in jailPresident Joe Biden calls the verdict ‘unacceptable’ and vows his administration will continue to work for her release Well, what does one expect from a nation of morons, thugs and pieces of trash. Does the possession of a small vial of cannabis oil warrant a 9 year sentence? The Soviet Union is proving that it is a lawless piece of trash. EmbassyofRussia GovernmentRF KremlinRussia_E She will know in future that Russia is not drug empire
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »
Russian court sentences Brittney Griner to nine years in jailPresident Joe Biden calls the verdict ‘unacceptable’ and vows his administration will continue to work for her release Well, what does one expect from a nation of morons, thugs and pieces of trash. Does the possession of a small vial of cannabis oil warrant a 9 year sentence? The Soviet Union is proving that it is a lawless piece of trash. EmbassyofRussia GovernmentRF KremlinRussia_E She will know in future that Russia is not drug empire
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »
US basketball star Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in prison in RussiaA Russian court on Thursday sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. If you do the crime, you gotta do the time 🤷🏾♀️
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »