Following are reactions after U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced in a Russian court on Thursday to nine years in prison for illegally bringing hashish-infused vape cartridges into the country.
She had admitted having the cartridges but called it an honest mistake.GRINER, BEING LED OUT OF COURT IN HANDCUFFS"I love my family." GRINER'S LAWYER, MARIA BLAGOVOLINA"She is very upset, very stressed.
She can hardly talk. It's a difficult time for her."When we saw Brittney on Tuesday, we told her, 'See you on Thursday'. She said, 'See you on doomsday'.
So it looks like she was right." GRINER'S DEFENCE TEAM, WHICH SAID IN A STATEMENT IT WOULD APPEAL "Taking into account the amount of the substance - not to mention the defects of the expertise - and the plea, the verdict is absolutely unreasonable."U.S PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, IN A STATEMENT"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."U.S.