Brittney Griner trial: Russian prosecutors ask for 9 1/2-year sentence, WNBA star apologizes

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

WNBA star Brittney Griner’s drug trial in Russia entered its closing arguments on Thursday as she awaits her fate after pleading guilty to cannabis possession after oils derived from cannabis were discovered in her bag at a Moscow airport in February.

Russian prosecutors asked the court to hand Griner a 9.5-year prison sentence. The defense then started its arguments. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison.

Griner offered an apology ahead of the sentencing.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them," she said. "I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home."

She added: "Hope in your ruling it does not end my life."

Griner was arrested in February ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although her arrested and detainment did not initially come to light until early March.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, right, enters a cage in a courtroom prior to a hearing in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.  (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photo via AP)

Since then, U.S. State Department has classified Griner as "wrongfully detained." During the trial, Griner acknowledged she had the canisters with her but had no intention of breaking the law. Her lawyers have argued that Griner had no criminal intent and instead the cartridges containing the cannabis oils accidentally ended up in her luggage due to hasty packing.

Maria