Basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted of drug possession on August 4 after the police found cannabis vape canisters in her luggage at Moscow Airport. The American WNBA star lost her appeal for a reduced and will now begin her 9-year sentence in Russia.
As I have been covering this story since August, Russia is not playing any games when it comes to maintaining law and order in their country. Brittney was holding on hoping that the judges would hear the arguments from Brittney's lawyers and reduce her sentence.
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In a joint statement Blagovolina and Boykov said, "Brittney is very mentally strong and has a champion's character. "However, she of course has her highs and lows as she is under an increasing amount of stress and has been separated from her loved ones for over eight months."
The U.S in July was committed to bringing Brittney home. President Biden had approved a trade with Russia in exchange for the release of Brittney. The Biden administration deal had included Brittney Griner and Paul Whelem another American being held in Russia's prisons.
Prayers up for Brittney Griner and her loved ones through this difficult time.
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