KHIMKI, Russia—A Russian court on Thursday sentenced U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. A Russian state prosecutor had requested 9.5 years in prison for Griner, who said in her closing remarks that bringing…

KHIMKI, Russia—American basketball star Brittney Griner illegally brought drugs into Russia, the judge at her trial ruled Thursday at the conclusion of her case that reached the highest levels of U.S.–Russian diplomacy. The pronouncement by Judge Anna Sotnikova, prior to her announcing a verdict, appeared to herald the imminent conviction of Griner on charges of…

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. She was also fined 1 million roubles ($16,000). After the sentencing, Griner appeared sad and stony-faced and said she understood…

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia. She was also fined 1 million roubles ($16,000). After the sentencing, Griner appeared sad and stony-faced and said she understood…

KHIMKI, Russia—The Russian drugs trial of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner should be over “very soon,” her lawyer said on Tuesday, as the Kremlin warned the United States that megaphone diplomacy would not secure a prisoner swap for the 31-year-old Texan. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star,…

KHIMKI, Russia–The drug trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner in a Russian court focused Tuesday on testimony that cannabis, while illegal in Russia, is regarded in other countries as having legitimate medicinal use. Griner acknowledged in court earlier this month that she was carrying vape canisters containing cannabis oil when she was arrested in…

U.S. WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner has made a direct plea to President Joe Biden to stand up for her in an emotional letter sent to the White House on Monday as she remains detained in Russia on drug charges. Griner, who was held at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of…

U.S. WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner has made a direct plea to President Joe Biden to stand up for her in a letter sent to the White House on Monday as she remains detained in Russia on drug charges. Griner, who was held at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her…

The Phoenix Mercury met with the State Department on Monday amid seven-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s ongoing detention in Russia, U.S. officials said. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges. She could face up to 10 years in prison….

The U.S. government on Tuesday determined that WNBA player Brittney Griner is being “wrongfully detained” in Russia and additional efforts will be focused on securing her release, the U.S. State Department announced. Griner, a WNBA All-Star player and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was detained in February at a Moscow-area airport after allegedly being caught with vape…