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American WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner has been convicted in a Russian court on Thursday (August 4) of smuggling drugs with criminal intent. She has been officially sentenced to 9 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rubles by a Russian court.

American basketball star Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling by a Russian court on Thursday. Prosecutors have asked that she receive 9 1/2 years in prison.

Brittney Griner made her first court appearance Tuesday since the Biden administration revealed it was prepared to engage in a prisoner swap to free Griner and another U.S. citizen in Russian custody, Paul Whelan.Griner was detained in February in a Moscow airport and later charged with drug smuggling.

a CNN report of a U.S. offer to exchange American citizens detained in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner and former U.S.

CNN.Labeled the “Merchant of Death,” Bout is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence after being arrested during a federal sting operation in 2008. Bout, who was accused with conspiring to sell weapons to people who intended to kill Americans, was convicted of offering to sell weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles, to federal agents posing as members of the guerrilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.In exchange for Bout’s release, Russia would release Griner and Paul Whelan, a former U.S.

The United States government has proposed a prisoner swap with Russia that would see the return of Brittney Griner, CNN reports. Griner is an American basketball player with the Phoenix Mercury currently facing 10 years in prison in Russia for possession of cannabis – Griner has said during her trial that the cannabis was prescribed for chronic pain and that she brought it into Russia by accident.

Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, offering the first public glimpse at U.S.

Brittney Griner continued in Moscow on Tuesday, with her defense team presenting additional evidence to support their position that the basketball player brought cannabis-infused oil cartridges to Russia by accident.Griner's lawyers presented negative drug tests, and a drug expert testified that frequent marijuana users would continue testing positive long after the last use.The expert, Mikhail Tetyushkin, said that medical marijuana is increasingly common in countries around the world, including the United States. He said it is often used by athletes to alleviate pain after sustaining physical trauma, supporting the defense's argument that Griner only used cannabis for medical purposes under doctor's supervision.«It is clear that if the use is constant, it affects the nervous system, decreases the speed of reaction and thinking, decreases physical activity and the ability to perform highly coordinated movements, so professional athletes cannot use them all the time,» Tetyushkin told journalists after the hearing.«The position of the defense is not that Brittany was allowed to bring banned substances into Russia.

Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for months after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage, and it is unclear when she will be able to return to the United States.The Phoenix Mercury player is currently in the middle of a trial in Moscow and faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Brittney has an uphill battle to have her criminal case acquitted in a trial that experts say is unlikely to be fair and that Russian authorities are using her as a diplomatic bargaining chip amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.The Olympic gold medalist has played in Russia for the last seven winters, earning more than $1 million per season -- more than quadruple her WNBA salary, according to the Associated Press.

Megan Rapinoe took a brief moment at tonight’s ESPYs during her acceptance speech for Best Play honors to acknowledge the plight of the WNBA’s Brittney Griner, currently being held in Russia on drug possession charges.

Stephen Curry is calling for the release of Brittney Griner.

2022 ESPY Awards, Steph Curry used his platform to deliver an impassioned message about Brittney Griner, the imprisoned WNBA star who has spent the past five months behind bars in Russia.Joined by Griner's teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith and fellow WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike, Curry explained said that, amid the night's celebration, they needed to «acknowledge one [athlete] who isn't here» — Griner.«Because Brittney isn't just on the Phoenix Mercury, she isn't just a member of her team in Russia, she isn't just an Olympian, she's one of us — the team of athletes in the room tonight and all over the world, a team that has nothing to do with politics or global conflict,» Curry shared.Ogwumike detailed all of Griner's innumerable accomplishments, sharing, «BG is a WNBA champion, she's an eight-time WNBA all-star, a national champion in college, an Olympic Gold Medalist, an athlete who has fans all over the world, and a human being whose predicament commands our attention.»«It's been 153 nights now that BG has been wrongfully detained thousands of miles away from home, away from her family, away from her friends, away from her team,» an emotional Diggins-Smith shared. «All throughout that time, we've kept her in our thoughts and in our hearts, even though we know that's not nearly enough to bring her home.»«We cannot stop fighting for her, we cannot believing for her, and we will not stop hoping for the day we can welcome her home safely,» Curry concluded, before all three declared in unison, «We are BG.»Later in the evening, Megan Rapinoe took home the ESPY Award for Best Play, and used her acceptance speech to also show her love for Griner, and emphasize the importance of keeping the fight going.«BG deserves to be free.

honor former heavyweight boxing champion and mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage; retired Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans with the Pat Tillman Award for Service and legendary college basketball broadcaster and Hall of Fame inductee Dick Vitale with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. “I think those are going to be really powerful moments,” King said of the honorees’ ceremonies.Regarding the show’s host, NBA champion Curry, King added, “Right off the bat, you’ll find that Steph — he’s got a great sense of humor, yes, but he’s also got a really great sense of humility. … I think people will get right away a sense that he is a perfect host choice for this year.”ESPYs presenters include Odell Beckham Jr., John Boyega, Alison Brie, Ciara, Billie Jean King, Dwayne Johnson, Jon Hamm, Simu Liu, Megan Rapinoe, Trevante Rhodes, Lindsey Vonn, Hannah Waddingham and more.

entered a guilty plea before the court, which analysts believe may have been her best chance at securing an eventual pardon, or at least leniency, given the Russian court system's near-perfect conviction rate.Maria Blagovolina, one of the lawyers representing Griner, said her legal team had presented evidence Friday including «characterization materials, medical records and tax returns.» Among the medical documentation was a doctor's prescription for the substance that Griner admitted bringing into Russia mistakenly as she packed her bags in a rush.  Friday was the fourth hearing in the Phoenix Mercury player's trial. She's facing up to 10 years in prison on drug possession and smuggling charges.

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Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in Russia on Thursday to drug possession and smuggling charges, telling a Moscow court she brought marijuana into the country by accident.Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russian officials claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Griner, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody.«I would like to plead guilty on the charges against me, but I had no intention on breaking any Russian law,» she said in court.

Reuters reports. “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.” Griner has been in Russian custody since February and her next court hearing is set for July 14, per the outlet.

Paul Whelan have said they are “astonished” that US President Joe Biden has not spoken to them personally while he remains detained in Russia. Elizabeth Whelan, the 49-year-old’s sister, said the Biden administration had not spoken with them since May in an interview with CNN on Wednesday. Hours earlier, Mr Biden said he and vice president Kamala Harris had spoken with the wife of the WNBA star Britney Griner amid her trial in Moscow and calls from her supporters for her release.

Brittney Griner's Wife Cherelle Fears She'll 'Never' See Her Again Brittney Griner Pens Letter to President Joe Biden From Russian Prison WNBA's Brittney Griner Appears in Russian Court, Criminal Trial Set

video of a traveler who looked like Griner going through airport security, followed by footage of someone examining a package that appeared to be from a traveler’s bag. Due to Russian laws prohibiting illicit substances, Griner was subsequently charged with “large-scale transportation of drugs.”The U.S. has alleged that Griner is being wrongfully detained — a charge which Russian officials have denied. Some security experts have speculated that the WNBA player was scapegoated in retaliation for the United States’ vocal opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. Last week, Griner’s trial began, but for all intents, it has been deemed by many human rights observers, and the U.S.

Brittney Griner, sooner rather than later.Brittney, whose trial began last week, was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russia claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Brittney, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody for the trial's duration. If convicted on drug smuggling charges, Brittney could face 10 years in a Russian prison.

Brittney Griner has written an open letter to President Joe Biden pleading for her freedom.

Brittney Griner was delivered to the White House on Monday morning, according to the Griner family, who provided excerpts to reporters. In her letter, the imprisoned WNBA star pleaded with the president not to forget her, and said her already deep appreciation for Independence Day has taken on new meaning this year. «I'm terrified I might be here forever,» wrote Griner, who has been detained in Russia since mid-February. «On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

CNN from the communications company representing her family.“[As] I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, wrote. NEW: A letter from Brittney Griner was sent to the White House today, making a direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom. Representatives shared the following excerpts: pic.twitter.com/pvh4IpOfou“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for over 130 days after customs officials allegedly detected cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow on February 17. After briefly appearing in court on Monday at a preliminary hearing, a judge ordered Griner to be detained for the length of her trial, per NPR. The preliminary hearing was closed to the public, but journalists saw Griner in the courthouse’s hallway.

Pauley Perrette has used her platform to help gain extra support for Brittney Griner, following the news that her detention has been extended in Russia.MORE: Pauley Perrette looks unrecognisable with drastic hair transformation that sparks reactionThe NCIS star took to Twitter on Monday to share a rare message with her fans. It read: FreeBG, FreeBrittneyGriner, FreeBrittneyGriner.

J.K. Rowling Criticizes 'Distasteful Hoax' by Russian Pranksters Russia Extends Brittney Griner's Detention as Team Pushes for Release Premieres and Concerts are Pulled in Russia Amid Attack on Ukraine  

Russia extended WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention until at least July 2, state news agency Tass reported Tuesday. Griner has been in Russian custody since February, when she was arrested at a Moscow airport and accused of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage.

WNBA star Brittney Griner's detention until at least July 2, state news agency Tass reported Tuesday. Griner has been in Russian custody since February, when she was arrested at a Moscow airport and accused of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner's detention has repeatedly been extended.

LeBron James issued a public call on Twitter demanding that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris more actively work toward securing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from her detainment in Russia. Mr Griner was detained in Russia in February on allegations that she was bringing marijuana through a Moscow-area airport. The Phoenix Mercury player competed in European leagues during the WNBA offseason, with that being the reason for her travel to Russia.

The fight to bring a legend home. WNBA star Brittney Griner has been in Russian custody since February 2022, and plenty of her fellow athletes are leading the charge to get her back to the United States.

Out American basketball player, Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for over 100 days. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star was arrested in Moscow on February 17.  May 28 marks the 100th day of her incarceration in Russia. On May 29, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) renewed calls for Griner’s release and asked President Biden to step in.

Love and basketball. Brittney Griner is one of the best athletes in the WNBA — and she always has her sweetheart, Cherelle Griner, cheering her on from the sidelines.

Brittney Griner said Friday her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month.Griner's lawyer Alexander Boikov told The Associated Press he believed the relatively short extension of the detention indicated the case would come to trial soon.Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained at the Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly found in her luggage, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.The Biden administration says Griner, 31, is being wrongfully detained. The WNBA and U.S.

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