Britney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years in Russian Drug Case

Britney Griner allies hope to secure a prisoner exchange similar to what President Joe Biden did with another Texas ex-Marine, Trevor Reed, earlier this year. Houston-born WNBA basketball player Britney Griner was given a nine-year prison term by a Russian court on Thursday for transporting illegal drugs into the country.

TEXAS BASKETBALL STAR BRITNEY GRINER SENTENCED TO 9 YEARS  IN RUSSIAN DRUG CASE

Ms. Griner last month pleaded guilty  and apologized for his “honest mistake.” The verdict is the latest grim development in a story that began in February when Russian authorities arrested Griner on the eve of Russia’s unilateral invasion of Ukraine. Griner’s allies want President Joe Biden to secure a prisoner exchange for their release, as he did with another Texas former Marine, Trevor Reed, earlier this year.

The notoriously harsh conditions in Russian prisons add to the diplomatic urgency. But there are also particular concerns about the treatment of Greiner, who is lesbian, in a country famous for its homophobic persecution. Last month, Biden administration officials offered to exchange Griner and Paul Whelan, another American detaining in Russia, for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is presently incarcerate in the USA. rice paddies

 BIDEN STATED AFTER THE VERDICT.

“Today,  a prison sentence was hands down to American citizen Britney Griner, a reminder that the world already knew that Russia was wrongly detaining Britney,” he said. I was. “This is unacceptable to her and we ask She should be promptly releasing by Russia. So she can be with her husband, her family, her friends, and her teammates.

“My administration will continue to work vigorously. Also will do everything in its power to ensure Britney and Paul Whelan can return home safely as soon as possible.” Griner entering the country in February. Also was arrest for bringing less the equivalent of one gramme of cannabis oil her vape cartridge.  Griner apologized during Thursday’s trial. Saying she had “never meant to violate Russian law” by accidentally rushing a package to play professional basketball in Russia.

 Her JOURNEY AS A BASKETBALL PLAYER

Griner was the star of her team’s Lady Bears basketball at Baylor University from 2009 until she was in 2013. She’s been playing for  Phoenix her Mercury since her 2013 draft. But in the offseason, she also played basketball in China and Russia.

While she was living in Phoenix, several members of the Texas Congress were in close contact with the State Department on the issue. With US Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents the Houston area where Griner grew up,  U.S. Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee. Baylor University athlete and  House Foreign Relations Committee member Colin Allred is working closely  with her to secure her release.

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