Russian court sentences Griner to 9 years in a penal colony

Amid hostility over war in Ukraine, court imposes near maximum possible sentence on American basketball star Brittney Griner , intensifying calls for his release.
VideoThe American basketball star was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penitentiary colony.CreditCredit...Pool photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev
A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in a penal colony after convicting her on a drug charge, a harsh sentence that keeps her destiny tied to the geopolitical confrontation over the war in Ukraine and intensifies the already intense pressure on President Bid fr to win her release.
US government claims she is among several Americans who have been "wrongfully detained" by Russia, used s as a bargaining chip in the increasingly hostile relationship between Moscow and Washington. The Biden administration has proposed a prisoner swap involving Ms Griner, but Russian officials have said it was premature to discuss a deal while her case is ongoing.
Now that the trial is underway In conclusion, Mr. Biden faces a tough choice between standing firm on his offer to trade for Ms. Griner and another American, Paul N. Whelan, or to sweeten the offer one way or another, one or another position likely to attract national criticism.
< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The Kremlin, on the other hand, can use them as leverage, with no incentive to resolve cases quickly. His supporters, expressing horror at the verdict and sentencing, are demanding that the president do something, while the administration is wary of giving in to Russian tactics that it has all but described as blackmail.
"My administration will continue to work tirelessly and explore all possible avenues to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible," Biden said in a statement after the verdict.

VideoAmerican basketball star Brittney Griner testified on Thursday, before being sentenced to nine years in prison a penal colony accused of smuggling hash oil in Russia.CreditCredit...Pool photo by Evgenia Novozhenina
Mrs. Griner, 31, one of the world's biggest stars in his sport, sat mostly expressionless, eyes downcast, leaning his long frame towards the bars of the defendant's box in a cramped courtroom at outside Moscow to hear the words of the judge, Anna S. Sotnikova, were quietly translated for her. She already had

World Aug 5, 2022 0 116 Add to Reading List

Russian court sentences Griner to 9 years in a penal colony

Amid hostility over war in Ukraine, court imposes near maximum possible sentence on American basketball star Brittney Griner , intensifying calls for his release.

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in a penal colony after convicting her on a drug charge, a harsh sentence that keeps her destiny tied to the geopolitical confrontation over the war in Ukraine and intensifies the already intense pressure on President Bid fr to win her release.

US government claims she is among several Americans who have been "wrongfully detained" by Russia, used s as a bargaining chip in the increasingly hostile relationship between Moscow and Washington. The Biden administration has proposed a prisoner swap involving Ms Griner, but Russian officials have said it was premature to discuss a deal while her case is ongoing.

Now that the trial is underway In conclusion, Mr. Biden faces a tough choice between standing firm on his offer to trade for Ms. Griner and another American, Paul N. Whelan, or to sweeten the offer one way or another, one or another position likely to attract national criticism.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The Kremlin, on the other hand, can use them as leverage, with no incentive to resolve cases quickly. His supporters, expressing horror at the verdict and sentencing, are demanding that the president do something, while the administration is wary of giving in to Russian tactics that it has all but described as blackmail.

"My administration will continue to work tirelessly and explore all possible avenues to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible," Biden said in a statement after the verdict.

Mrs. Griner, 31, one of the world's biggest stars in his sport, sat mostly expressionless, eyes downcast, leaning his long frame towards the bars of the defendant's box in a cramped courtroom at outside Moscow to hear the words of the judge, Anna S. Sotnikova, were quietly translated for her. She already had