WNBA: Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years in Russian Prison

Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury, has been sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison after being found guilty of drug smuggling.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russian authorities said they found cannabis oil cartridges in her luggage. Griner admitted to having the cartridges in her luggage but said she packed them by mistake and did not intend to bring them to Russia.

The verdict and sentence have been widely condemned by the U.S. government and human rights groups, who say Griner is being held as a political pawn and should be released immediately.

The U.S. State Department has called the sentence "unacceptable" and said it will continue to work to secure Griner's release.

Griner's supporters have launched a campaign to raise awareness of her case and pressure the Russian government to release her.

The case has also raised questions about the safety of Americans traveling to Russia, and the U.S. government has issued a travel advisory warning Americans to avoid travel to the country.

Timeline of Brittney Griner's Case

• February 17, 2022: Griner is arrested at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities say they found cannabis oil cartridges in her luggage.
• March 5, 2022: Griner is charged with drug smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
• July 1, 2022: Griner pleads guilty to drug smuggling but says she packed the cartridges in her luggage by mistake.
• August 4, 2022: Griner is sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.

Reaction to Brittney Griner's Sentence

• The U.S. State Department has called the sentence "unacceptable" and said it will continue to work to secure Griner's release.
• Griner's supporters have launched a campaign to raise awareness of her case and pressure the Russian government to release her.
• The case has also raised questions about the safety of Americans traveling to Russia, and the U.S. government has issued a travel advisory warning Americans to avoid travel to the country.