Moscow, Russia- United States (US) President, Joe Biden, has accused Russia of the wrongful arrest of US’ women basketball player, Brittney Griner.
Griner was on Thursday found guilty by a district court in Khimki of smuggling illegal narcotics and sentenced to nine years in a penal colony. The presiding Judge, Anna S. Sotnikova, also ordered her to pay a fine of one million Rubles (US$16 200).
The two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist was arrested on February 17 when a drug-sniffing dog at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport alerted her luggage. In her bags, security officers found vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which is outlawed in Russia.
However, the verdict has not sat well with the US President, who has since demanded Russia to release her immediately.
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is once more a reminder of what the world already knew. Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” said Biden.
Prior to the verdict during the Court proceedings, Griner said she pleaded guilty to the charges because her parents taught her to take ownership of her responsibilities.
“I grew up in a normal house, a normal household in Houston, Texas, with my siblings and my mom and my dad. My parents taught me two important things, one, take ownership of your responsibilities and two, work hard for everything that you get. That’s why I pleaded guilty to my charges. I understand everything that has been said against me in the charges against me, but I had no intent to break Russian law.
I want the Court to understand that it was an honest mistake that I made while rushing and in stress trying to recover post-COVID and just trying to get back to my team. I know that everybody keeps talking about political pawns and politics, but I hope that that is far from that Courtroom,” said Griner.
In addition, Griner also alluded to the possibility of a prisoner swap that would allow her to return to the US, an issue that has been the subject of talks between Moscow and Washington.
Last month, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, revealed that Washington had made Moscow a substantial offer for the release of Griner and fellow American Paul Whelan, a former Marine who has been convicted of espionage charges in Russia.
