Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist Gets 9 year Jail Term
(The Quiver): On Thursday, the Russian Court has sentenced US Basketball player Brittney Griner to nine year jail term over smuggling of drugs after a politically heated trail that took place in the midst of rising tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine.
Judge Anna Sotnikova elaborated to the court that Griner has to pay a fine of 1 billion rubles which is $16,590.
She was detained in February at the Moscow airport after being found with vape cartilage and cannabis oil in her luggage. The incident happened right before Moscow began its armed invasion of Ukraine.
“I call on Russia to release her immediately for wrongfully detaining her as she can be with her family and loved ones. It is unacceptable.” US President Joe Biden said.
Griner further said she had the permission of the doctor to use medical cannabis for relive pain.
Griner said, “I made an honest mistake and I hope that your verdict doesn’t terminate my life here.”
“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club to the city of Yekaterinburg and my supporters for the error I committed and the embarrassment I caused to feel.” She added.
