Russia sentences US basketball player to 9 years for drug smuggling... US says "Unacceptable"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A Russian court sentenced American WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on drug smuggling charges. The Russian government is expected to use Griner's situation as a diplomatic pressure card against the United States. While the U.S. government strongly protested, it has proposed a prisoner exchange between the two countries, and behind-the-scenes negotiations are expected to proceed actively.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 4th (local time), the Russian court found Griner guilty of drug possession and smuggling and sentenced her to nine years in prison, along with a fine of 1 million rubles (approximately 22 million KRW).

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, previously played for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. She was arrested at Moscow airport on drug smuggling charges after returning to Russia following a two-week vacation in the United States in February. Russian authorities stated that a liquid cartridge containing cannabis oil extract was found in her bag. However, Griner's lawyer claimed that she had been legally prescribed medical marijuana for treatment of a chronic illness.

During the trial, Griner's defense argued that there was no intentional attempt to smuggle drugs and pleaded not guilty, requesting leniency even if punishment was imposed. However, the Russian prosecution and court judged that there was intent in the smuggling and sentenced her to nine years, close to the prosecution's demand of nine years and six months. The maximum sentence for drug smuggling in Russia is ten years.

The U.S. government immediately protested. President Joe Biden stated in a press release, "This sentence once again highlights Russia's unjust detention," adding, "This is unacceptable, and Russia must immediately release her so she can be with her wife, friends, and colleagues." He continued, "The government will use every possible means to safely bring Griner and Paul Whelan (an American businessman detained in Russia) home."

The U.S. government believes that Russia is using the detained Americans, including Griner, as diplomatic leverage and has proposed prisoner exchange negotiations with Russia. According to CNN, the U.S. government has proposed exchanging Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer imprisoned in the U.S. for 25 years, for Griner and Whelan, and negotiations are reportedly ongoing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.