Moscow court rejects appeal of American basketball player Griner Operation “porcupine”: this is how Taiwan wants to defend itself against China

After a recalculation of the pre-trial detention, which counts towards the sentence, Griner must remain in prison for about eight more years. The verdict is therefore final. Griner could be transferred to a correctional facility in the near future, where she would have to serve her sentence.

Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport with a small amount of hash and convicted by a court in the Russian capital in early August. Internationally, the ruling sparked a wave of solidarity with the athlete.

The case of Brittney Griner:

Griner’s lawyers argued before the appeals court that given the small amount of hashish found, the verdict was harsh and unfair. In her closing statement, Griner again pleaded guilty, but also pointed out that her sentence in such cases was more severe than the usual punishment in Russia.

National Security Adviser to US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, emphasized that the US government was willing to “make extraordinary efforts and hard decisions” to release US citizens detained abroad. In recent weeks, negotiations with Moscow have continued “through all available” channels. Griner “continues to be unfairly held in unbearable conditions,” Sullivan said.

US President Biden stressed that there is currently little “positive response” from Russia. The United States had made Russia a “substantial offer,” its spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. At the same time, Biden has no plans to meet Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

Upon arrival at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport, so-called vape cartridges and hash oil were found on Griner’s premises. It is said to have been 0.5 grams. This was ruled as illegal drug possession and attempted smuggling. (sda/dpa)