American basketball player Brittney Griner was found guilty by a Moscow court of drug possession. Photo: EFE
After a short process in which He had already pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessionAmerican basketball player Brittney Griner, 31, was found guilty by a Moscow court on Thursday and sentenced 9 years in prison.
Having resolved the judicial issue, the case is now transferred to the Hon arena of diplomacy between Russia and the United States, after Washington proposed a prisoner exchange in Moscow a few days ago to ensure Griner’s release.
US President Joe Biden released a verdict statement referring to Griner as someone “unjustly detained”a designation that Russian officials refuse.
Basketball player Brittney Griner has been found guilty in Russia and her hope has been placed in a diplomatic negotiation between Russia and the United States. Photo: REUTERS
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is yet another reminder of what the world already knew: Brittney is being unfairly detained by Russia. It is unacceptable and I ask Russia to release it immediately so he can be with his wife, loved ones, friends and teammates, “Biden said.
the final appeal
In his latest appeal to the court, Griner claimed to have committed “a real mistake”and expressed the hope that the verdict “does not ruin his life”.
“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Ekaterinburg) for the mistake I made and the embarrassment I had to endure them,” Griner said in final appeal to the court. , with a broken voice. .
“I also want to apologize to my parents, my brothers, the Phoenix Mercury organization, the amazing women of the WNBA and my amazing wife at home,” he added.
In his concluding argument, prosecutor Nikolai Vlasenko insisted that Griner deliberately packaged the cannabis oil and asked the court to order Briner. a fine of 1 million rubles (approximately $ 16,700), in addition to the prison sentence.
Griner’s lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, for her part had argued that the athlete used cannabis only in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal.
He also pointed out that Griner I was packing my bags after a tiring flight and suffering the consequences of COVID-19. Blagovolina further noted that the cannabis analysis found in Griner’s possession was flawed and violated legal procedures.
Blagovolina asked the court to acquit Griner, noting that she had no criminal record and praising his role in the “development of Russian basketball”.
Source: AP
Source: Clarin
