Reactions after US basketball star Griner sentenced in Russia

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. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN

"Nothing about today's decision changes our determination that Brittney Griner is wrongfully detained, and we will continue working to bring Brittney and fellow wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Paul Whelan home."

GRINER'S AGENT, LINDSAY KAGAWA COLAS, IN TWEETS

"Today's sentencing of Brittney Griner was severe by Russian legal standards and goes to prove what we have known all along, that Brittney is being used as a political pawn. We appreciate and continue to support the efforts of @POTUS (Biden) and @SecBlinken to get a deal done swiftly to bring