A Court sitting on Russia has convicted US basketball star Brittney Griner as she’s alleged of drug possession and has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
The Olympic medalist earlier pleaded with a Russian judge not to “end her life” with a harsh prison sentence for bringing in vape cartridges containing hashish oil as she claimed it was an honest mistake.
Unfortunately the judge rejected her defence lawyer’s arguments and fined her one million rubles (£13,430) fine.US President Joe Biden denounced Thursday’s verdict and sentence as “unacceptable”. “I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” he said. 
He added that he would continue to work to bring home Griner and Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia on an espionage conviction.
Earlier innocent Griner said she had no intention of breaking the law by bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil when she flew to Moscow in February to play basketball in the city of Yekaterinburg.
“I want to apologise to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them,” the basketball star said.“I want to also apologise to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organisation back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home.” she apologized.
