A Russian court has decided to uphold Brittney Griner’s nine-year prison sentence for her drug smuggling charges. The basketball star appeared via video link from a detention center for her hearing on Tuesday, with her lawyers stressing that while their client did not expect “any miracles to happen,” she remained optimistic about the idea that the appeals court in Krasnagorsk would at the very least reduce her sentence.
But the three-judge panel decided against the act of dismissing the previous ruling, meaning Griner will commence her nine-year sentence in a penal colony soon. Currently, it’s unclear whether the athlete’s legal team will pursue other options to perhaps file another appeal, but higher courts in Russia are famously known for not overturning verdicts, particularly when it pertains to charges concerning drug smuggling.
Brittney Griner is being transferred to a Russian penal colony, where she will spend the next 9 years after losing her appeal.
Thankful Brittney landed in a place where she won’t have to hear our terrible and oppressive National Anthem again for the foreseeable future. 🙏
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) October 25, 2022
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Furthermore, it’s unknown where things currently stand between the Biden administration and its ongoing efforts to potentially swap a prisoner from the U.S. in return for Griner’s release. But, President Biden and Vladimir Putin will come face-to-face at next month’s Group of 20 leaders in Indonesia, where the two are expected to discuss Griner’s case and what can be done to have her returned to the U.S.
The 32-year-old, who celebrated her birthday behind bars last week, was convicted of her charges back in August, following her arrest in February, when she carried vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Now that her appeal has been denied, it begs the question of whether Griner even stands a chance to file a second appeal given how long it takes to get the process going.
#FreeBrittneyGriner 249 days my sister and friend @brittneygriner has been wrongfully detained in a Russian prison. We got you BG! We love BG! Hold on! #WeAreBG pic.twitter.com/6V5g9EAUFU
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) October 24, 2022
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On top of that, her legal team has already spoken out, saying how difficult it is for Russian courts to overturn a verdict, which means that the Biden administration may be the last option for Griner, that they propose an offer to the Kremlin that calls for her release if a prison swap is granted.
In a statement back in August, Biden expressed, “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. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”