Trial in Russia: Convicted US basketball player Griner appeals

Trial in Russia: Convicted US basketball player Griner appeals

The American basketball player Brittney Griner was sentenced to a long prison term in Russia for a small amount of hashish. Now she is appealing the verdict.

US basketball player Brittney Griner, who has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia, has appealed the verdict. This was reported by several Russian news agencies, citing Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagowolina.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February with a small amount of hashish and convicted by a court in the Russian capital in early August. Internationally, the verdict triggered a wave of solidarity with the 31-year-old athlete.

The USA sharply criticized the decision of the Russian judiciary and demanded their release. Despite deep political differences between Moscow and Washington, the American side hopes that Griner will be exchanged for a Russian citizen in US captivity. The Kremlin, in turn, recently criticized the public debate about the possibility of such a deal.

Upon arrival at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, so-called vape cartridges and hashish oil were found on Griner. It is said to have been 0.5 grams. This was ruled as illegal drug possession and attempted smuggling. Griner pleaded guilty but stressed that she did not intend to violate Russian law. However, the court in Moscow did not recognize any mitigating circumstances.

Source: Stern

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts