Russia Appeal Court Upholds Brittney Griner’s 9-Year Sentence

Russia Appeals Court Upholds Brittney Griner’s 9-Year Sentence, Only Way Out Is If U.S Negotiates

It looks like Brittney Griner will have to serve her nine-year prison sentence unless the U.S intervenes.

According to The NY Times, “A Russian court on Tuesday upheld the American basketball star Brittney Griner’s sentence on drug smuggling charges, clearing the way for her to serve nine years in a penal colony, unless the U.S. government can negotiate a deal for her release.”

There are two higher courts above the appellate division, culminating in the Supreme Court, but Ms. Griner’s lawyers have yet to confirm whether they will take the case any further.

 

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However, higher courts in Russia are not known for overturning verdicts. In July, the Biden administration offered a prisoner swap involving Ms. Griner, but Russian officials have said it was premature to discuss a deal while her case was underway.

Hopefully now that her case has settled, the U.S can get our girl out of there!

Brittney Griner played college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas. She is the only NCAA basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. In 2012, the three-time All-American was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Griner is one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, a FIBA World Cup gold medal and a WNBA championship.