A Russian court has rejected US basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug charges. The actor, who was arrested on February 17 for allegedly entering Russia with vape cartridges containing hashish oil, is serving time in prison.
Griner appeared in court online from a prison outside Moscow. Britney’s lawyers argued that the hashish oil was kept on hand as part of a treatment for chronic pain. He also demanded that the actor be given leniency. But Russian prosecutors argued the sentence was fair.
“I want to apologize for this mistake,” Griner told the court through a translator. “I didn’t mean to do this, but I understand the charges against me,” Griner added. But the court rejected these arguments and upheld the sentence. “We are very disappointed,” Griner’s lawyers, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, responded.
The actor was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession and trafficking. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Women’s National Basketball Association star, was arrested when she arrived to play for a game. US President Joe Biden responded that Russia’s action against the basketball star was unacceptable.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star, was arrested for possession.
Story Highlights: WNBA star Brittney Griner’s appeal rejected by Russian court