US President Joe Biden has issued a statement after Russian courts delivered a nine-year prison sentence to WNBA star Brittney Griner for possession of illegal drugs. President Biden swiftly issued a public statement deeming Griner’s sentencing as “unacceptable”. Moreover, the 46th President of the United States also assured Americans that his staff is working tirelessly to bring Brittney Griner home safely.

In his statement, Biden claimed that Griner’s sentencing once again proved to the world the illicit nature of her arrest. The Phoenix Mercury star had been detained in February after authorities discovered cannabis oil and vape cartridges in her belongings.

As a matter of fact, cannabis is banned in Russia. Since then, Griner had been undergoing trial under the Russian judiciary before the current verdict. The 2014 WNBA champion will also face a fine of one million Russian rubles (roughly $16,400).

President Biden issues statement after Russian courts deliver verdict on Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner had pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her. In other words, she accepted the allegations against her but claimed that she didn’t break the law intentionally. In fact, she testified that she didn’t have proper knowledge of Russian law at the time.

Meanwhile, Griner’s situation became complicated in the wake of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. Due to this, relations between USA and Russia deteriorated severely.

In fact, the USA led the world in issuing sanctions to hurt the Russian economy as a consequence of invading a sovereign country. As a result, Griner soon turned into a geopolitical bargaining chip.

“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates,” Biden said in his statement.

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“My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible,” he added.

The path to Griner’s release

Brittney Griner could return home soon despite her nine-year sentence. As it turns out, the Russian authorities could be open to a prisoner swap.

US media outlets have floated the name of convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout. Bout is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the USA.

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However, the Kremlin has not confirmed any reports yet.