Brittany Greiner was convicted of drug smuggling to Russia

The American basketball player was arrested in February with an inhaler of cannabis oil.

The lawsuit demands a maximum sentence of nine and a half years in prison.

Biden is working for her release, the administration has already offered a prisoner exchange deal, the conservative right in the US is seething

Voila system!

sport

04/08/2022

Thursday, 04 August 2022, 18:02

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Video: Brittany Greiner in court in Russia (Reuters)

The American basketball player, Brittany Greiner, was convicted today (Thursday) of drug smuggling by the Russian court.

The 31-year-old Greiner, one of the best basketball players in the world, was arrested last February at a Moscow airport after an inhaler with cannabis oil was found in her bag.

She was charged with drug possession and has been in custody ever since.

Her trial began at the beginning of July, and then she pleaded guilty and stated: "I didn't do it on purpose, I didn't intend to break the law."

Today Greiner continued on the same line and also tearfully addressed the judge and asked him to "don't end my life" with a severe sentence.

The sentence has not yet been handed down, but the general prosecution demands nine and a half years in prison - the maximum sentence set by law.

Greiner's arrest is interpreted in the US as political, against the backdrop of the sanctions imposed by the US government on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. The basketball player sent a public letter to President Joe Biden, who stated that he would work vigorously for her release. The US already offered a prisoner exchange deal a few weeks ago and the estimates are that the parties continue to discuss the matter.

Greiner received strong support from professional athletes, including LeBron James, and at the same time there was an uproar in the US. The conservative right complained that "other American prisoners are being killed in prisons around the world without the government helping them", and explained that "Greiner is getting preferential treatment because she is a millionaire black and lesbian".

The story continues to get complicated.

Greiner (Photo: Reuters)

On the way to a long prison term?

Greiner (Photo: Reuters)

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