A Russian court on Tuesday rejected WNBA star Brittney Griner’s appeal and upheld her nine-year prison sentence for drug charges.
Griner, 32, appeared dejected as she appeared at a hearing in Moscow Regional Court via video conference from the detention center where she has been held since her arrest in February. Now the athlete is expected to be transferred to a penal colony.
Griner’s sentencing in August was condemned by the United States, which said the athlete was being detained unjustly. With her appeal denied, hopes for Griner’s release shift to a potential prisoner swap.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday’s decision was the result of “another sham trial.”
“President (Joe) Biden has made it very clear that Brittney should be released immediately,” he said, adding that the Biden administration in recent weeks “has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and made every effort to bring Brittney home.” ” how to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including another wrongfully detained, Paul Whelan.”
Griner’s lawyers said the decision was “not what we expected,” adding that it could be months before the WNBA star is transferred to a penal colony.
“We are very disappointed,” they said. “We still think the punishment is disproportionate.
A US diplomat spoke out after a Russian court rejected Brittney Griner’s appeal
They said Griner’s “biggest fear” is that the prisoner exchange will not happen and that she could serve her entire sentence in Russia. “She was pinning her hopes on today, like every month, every day she cares about, from family and friends,” they said.
The attorneys said they plan to use “all available legal tools, especially given the harsh and unprecedented nature of her verdict” and will discuss next steps with Griner.
Griner was “pretty pessimistic about the outcome” of the appeal before Tuesday’s hearing, one of her attorneys, Maria Blagovolina, said Monday.
