US President Joe Biden on Thursday, August 4, called the conviction of American basketball player Brittney Griner, convicted in Russia for nine years for drug trafficking, “unacceptable”.

“Today, US citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence, which is another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is holding Brittney unfairly. This is unacceptable, and I urge Russia to release her immediately so she can keep Brittney. his wife, loved ones, friends and teammates,” Biden said in a statement posted on the White House website.

The president added that his administration “will continue to work tirelessly and use every means possible to get Brittney and Paul Whelan home safe and sound as quickly as possible.”

The deputy head of the US mission to the Russian Federation, Elizabeth Rood, said after the Greiner verdict was announced that this was an “error of justice”. Greiner was also supported by the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury teams. Before the regular season meeting began on Thursday night, the basketball players held a minute of silence, shaking hands with each other.

Court sentenced Greiner to nine years in prison

On August 4, the Moscow Region Khimki City Court sentenced Brittney Greiner to nine years in a penal colony and a fine of one million rubles, finding her guilty of drug smuggling and possession. The basketball player’s lawyers said they would appeal.

Greiner was detained in February 2022 in Sheremetyevo. The investigation claims that during the search, vape cartridges with hash oil were found in his luggage. The athlete admitted this, but stated that she would not intentionally bring the banned substance to Russia. She claims that she packed things in a state of stress and didn’t remember putting the cartridges in her bag. Greiner also highlighted that he uses drugs exclusively for personal use.