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American basketball star Brittney Griner could have her attraction in opposition to a nine-year jail sentence for drug possession heard by a Russian courtroom later this month.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted on 4 August after being arrested in February at a Moscow airport when vape canisters containing hashish oil have been found in her baggage.
The athlete, who had been enjoying for a ladies’s basketball staff in Yekaterinburg, admitted that she had the canisters in her baggage, however stated she packed them by accident and had no felony intent.
Now her attraction will probably be heard by the Moscow area courtroom on 25 October, in accordance with the Related Press.
Her legal professionals stated after her conviction that the sentence was extreme and that defendants in related circumstances have acquired a mean sentence of about 5 years, with a couple of third of them granted parole.
Earlier than the sentencing, the US State Division stated that Griner had been “wrongfully detained” by Russia.
The Biden administration has additionally stated that it has held talks with Moscow to get Griner and fellow American prisoner Paul Whelan, who’s serving 16 years for alleged espionage, returned to the US.
An alternate deal has reportedly been proposed that may see “Service provider of Dying” arms supplier Viktor Bout, who’s serving a 25-year jail sentence within the US, returned to Russia.
Within the wake of Griner’s conviction, WNBA gamers are skipping enjoying in Russia this winter, the place they are often paid salaries of greater than $1m, and as an alternative taking decrease paychecks in nations akin to Turkey and Spain.
Final month Griner’s household met with Joe Biden and thanked him for his efforts to convey her house.
“I need to thank President Biden for yesterday’s assembly in addition to the Administration for its efforts to safe my spouse’s launch,” Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s spouse, wrote within the caption of an Instagram put up with a photograph of herself and the president.
“It was an honour to talk with him immediately concerning the Brittney we all know and love. I’ve felt each minute of the gruelling seven months with out her. I sit up for the day my spouse is again house.”
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