Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug smuggling and possession by a Russian court. The verdict, which was widely anticipated, comes after a month-long trial and nearly six months after the basketball star was arrested at a Moscow-area airport with cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison by the judge. Her charges carried a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, and the Russian prosecution requested a sentence of nine years and six months in a penal colony.
Given that Russian criminal courts have a reported conviction rate of 99 percent, the outcome of the trial was not unexpected. Griner’s fate, however, appears to be decided in the political arena.
Under public pressure to secure her release, the Biden administration attempted to negotiate with Russia to free her as well as another American, Paul Whelan. Russia has stated that any potential deal, including a rumored prisoner swap in which the US would release notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, would have to wait until the court’s decision.
President Biden said shortly after the verdict that Griner’s sentence was “just another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.”
“It’s unconscionable, and I urge Russia to immediately release her so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” he added. “My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to return Brittney and Paul Whelan safely to their families as soon as possible.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed that pledge in a statement of his own, saying the court’s decision “brings to light our serious concerns about Russia’s legal system and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda, using individuals as political pawns.”
“Russia, and any country that engages in wrongful detention, poses a threat to the safety of everyone who travels, works, and lives abroad,” Blinken added. “The United States opposes this practice throughout the world.”
Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Griner’s agent, said on Twitter that she appreciated the United States’ efforts to secure the player’s release.
“Today’s sentencing of Brittney Griner was severe by Russian legal standards, proving what we’ve known all along: Brittney is being used as a political pawn,” Colas wrote.
Griner acknowledged making “an honest mistake.”
Earlier on Thursday, as the two sides delivered closing arguments, Griner’s defense attorney urged the court to acquit her or to be lenient in any punishment she receives. The 31-year-old also spoke for herself.
“I made an honest mistake, and I hope that your decision does not mean the end of my life here,” Griner said.
The Olympian and NBA champion claims she put the cannabis in her bag by accident. Griner’s defense team points out that she has a medical marijuana card in Arizona to help her cope with injuries sustained during years of competition. Personal cannabis possession, on the other hand, is illegal in Russia under any circumstances, similar to federal law in the United States.
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Griner’s defense attorneys argued for her acquittal or a lenient sentence in their closing arguments, citing Griner’s contributions to the growth of Russian women’s basketball and detailing irregularities in her arrest and detention — including a lack of access to qualified translators.
Her attorneys also stated that the basketball star was prescribed medical marijuana by a US doctor in the offseason to treat chronic pain — and had never failed a drug test.
“What does this show?” defense attorney Maria Blagovolina asked. “It demonstrates that Brittney Griner used marijuana only at home and in very small doses, with no intention of bringing the substance into Russia.”
Griner reiterated in her final statement to the judge that she never intended to break any laws or harm anyone.
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She apologized to her Russian teammates for any harm she may have caused them, saying, “this is my second home, and all I wanted to do was win championships and make them proud.”
Her ordeal began just prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner was arrested one week before Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February. Her detention fueled speculation that Putin’s government intends to use her as leverage against the United States. Griner made a passing reference to it in her closing remarks to the judge on Thursday.
“I know everyone keeps talking about political pawns and politics, but I hope that isn’t the case here,” she said.
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Here’s a quick breakdown of Griner’s ordeal:
- Griner is detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport outside of Moscow on February 17.
- May 3: The US State Department declares Griner wrongfully detained.
- May 28: US Ambassador to Russia John J. Sullivan refers to Griner as a “bargaining chip” amid speculation about a prisoner swap.
- Prosecutors unveil their case in court on July 1 as the trial begins.
- Griner enters a guilty plea to drug charges on July 7, as speculation about a prisoner swap grows.
- Griner testifies on July 27th, claiming she inadvertently brought cannabis to Russia.
- July 27: The United States says it offered Russia a deal in exchange for the release of Griner and another American, Paul Whelan.
- Closing arguments begin on August 4th.
At home, athletes and activists are calling for her release.
Griner is the Phoenix Mercury’s star center. But, like many WNBA players, she spends the offseason in overseas leagues, earning far more than her WNBA salary. She has recently played for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian club owned by oligarch Iskander Makhmudov. The club has long had ties to Griner’s US club.
Griner was detained while returning from the United States to her Russian team.
In a joint statement on Thursday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the verdict and sentence were “unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected.”
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“The WNBA and NBA have not wavered in their commitment to her safe return, and it is our hope that we are nearing the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States,” they added.
The campaign to free Griner has expanded far beyond her fans and fellow basketball players. This summer, dozens of civil rights organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Organization for Women, and the National LGBTQ Task Force, wrote to President Biden urging him to take her case seriously.
