Photo: Getty Images
A Russian court has denied WNBA star Brittney Griner's appeal Tuesday morning (October 25), upholding her nine-year prison sentence on drug charges.
The 32-year-old athlete appeared in Moscow Regional Court via video conference for the hearing, according to NBC News. Griner is expected to be moved to a penal colony to serve out her sentence. Now that her appeal has been rejected, her freedom hinges on a potential prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan slammed the decision, calling it "another sham judicial proceeding."
"President (Joe) Biden has been very clear that Brittney should be released immediately," he said, adding that the Biden Administration "continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan."
Before the appeal verdict was handed down, Griner asked for an adjustment to her sentence in a statement read in court. She described her time behind bars as "stressful" and "traumatic." Maria Blagovolina, one of the WNBA star's attorneys, told reporters her client was "quite pessimistic about the outcome" before Tuesday's hearing.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport back in February after Russian authorities found cannabis oil canisters in her luggage. Her legal team maintained she wasn't aware of the country's strict rules on marijuana.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.