Brittney Griner Trial: Russia Asks For 9.5 Years In Prison

Breaking Business Brittney Griner Trial: Russian Prosecutors Want 9 And A Half Years In Prison Madeline Halpert Forbes Staff New! Follow this author to improve your content experience. Got it! Aug 4, 2022, 08:33am EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Russian prosecutors on Thursday asked for WNBA star Brittney Griner to be sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison for allegedly carrying a vape cartridge with cannabis oil in her suitcase, according to multiple outlets , as her trial nears an end and after Russia made a “bad faith” response to a U. S.

offer for a prisoner swap, according to White House. WNBA star Brittney Griner is escorted in a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside . .

. [+] Moscow. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

All rights reserved. Key Facts The verdict for Griner—who was arrested on February 17 at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow—is set to be announced later Thursday, Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagovolina said, according to Reuters . The sentence request comes a week after Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to accept a deal to swap Griner and Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia on espionage charges, in exchange for Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout, a deal Russia has reportedly tried to amend to include a former colonel from Russia’s domestic spy agency convicted of murder.

Russian prosecutors also sought a fine of one million rubles, or $16,590, according to Agence France Presse. Griner’s lawyers have argued she unintentionally packed the vape cartridges while in a rush and uses cannabis for medical purposes. Key Background Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was detained at the airport after vape cartridges with cannabis oil were allegedly found in her luggage, pleaded guilty to drug charges on July 7.

Her attorneys have argued she did not intend to break the law, showing evidence of her approval for medical marijuana use in the U. S. All use of cannabis is illegal in Russia.

Griner testified before the court for the first time last week, saying she was not read her rights after being arrested, was not offered an attorney and was forced to sign papers without a translation. After pleas from Griner , her wife and other prominent figures, including NBA star Lebron James, U. S.

officials announced last week they had proposed a prisoner swap in exchange for Griner, reportedly offering Bout—who has been serving a 25-year jail sentence—in exchange for Griner and Whelan, a former marine who was arrested in Moscow in 2018. Bout, who has been dubbed the “Merchant of Death,” supplied millions of Soviet-era arms and ammunition to militias and terror groups around the world. Crucial Quote Last week John Kirby, the National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications, called Russia’s move to try to add another Russian prisoner to the swap a “bad faith attempt to avoid a very serious offer,” on CNN .

Further Reading Griner should serve 9 1/2 years in prison, Russian prosecutor says (Reuters) Russian prosecutors seek 9 1/2-year sentence for Griner (Associated Press) CNN Exclusive: Russian officials requested adding convicted murderer to Griner/Whelan prisoner swap (CNN) Check out my website . Send me a secure tip . Madeline Halpert Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.