Brittney Griner appeals conviction amid talks of prisoner swap

Cami Mondeaux

August 15, 07:46 AM August 15, 08:01 AM

Lawyers for Brittney Griner filed an enchantment for the WNBA star’s nine-yr conviction approximately two months after she was observed responsible of smuggling prescription drugs into Russia.

Griner, 31, was uncovered guilty on Aug. 4 on drug-smuggling costs and was sentenced to nine yrs in a penal colony coupled with a $16,300 wonderful. Nonetheless, the U.S. State Division has preserved Griner was wrongfully detained, accusing the Kremlin of holding her prisoner as a political pawn amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

PUTIN Would like TO BE Directly Involved WITH BIDEN ON GRINER PRISONER SWAP

The basketball star’s attraction, reported by Russian retailers on Monday, comes amid talks of a prisoner swap after Russia indicated previously this month it would be open up to a non-public dialogue involving President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The basketball star was to begin with detained in February, but Russian officers said the lawful fight has to be concluded ahead of talking about a prisoner exchange. The probable swap could include talks to absolutely free Paul Whelan, a former Maritime who has been held in Russian detention since 2018 and was convicted in 2020 on espionage charges, and a Russian arms seller, in accordance to reports.

Griner experienced pleaded responsible to the prices, hoping her statements of regret would sway the decide to give her a far more lenient sentence. She testified she takes advantage of cannabis oil in the U.S. for long-term soreness but understood that carrying hashish to Russia was illegal.