Russian prosecution asks for 9.5 years in jail for US basketball player Brittney Griner on drug smuggling charges

Prosecutors in Russia’s Khimki court have asked for Brittney Griner, a US basketball player, to be sentenced to nine and a half years in prison on drug smuggling charges, Mediazona reports, citing a correspondent present in court.

The prosecution maintains that Griner’s guilt has been proven in court.

Griner was detained on 17 February at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, after a vape pen with marijuana oils was allegedly found in her luggage. The athlete pled guilty during a court hearing on 7 July.

On 5 July, Griner addressed US President Joe Biden in a letter asking him to do all he can to bring her home. The White House later stated that Biden had read the letter, but did not announce his steps regarding Griner. The US government maintains that Griner was unlawfully detained.

Earlier, the White House offered the Kremlin to exchange Griner and another US citizen Paul Whelan, convicted in Russia for espionage, for Russian national Viktor Bout, who is serving a jail sentence in the US on arms trafficking charges.

Brittney Griner is a WNBA athlete. She has won gold at the Olympics twice, playing for the US national team.