US basketball star sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia

A Russian court has sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years prison on drugs charges.

The court found Ms Griner 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 Ms Griner, who said in her closing remarks that bringing the cartridges into Russia had been "an honest mistake".

Ms Griner was also fined 1 million roubles (€15,652).

After the sentencing, Ms Griner appeared sad and stony-faced, and said she understood the sentence.

US President Joe Biden said Ms Griner's prison sentence is "unacceptable" and called on Russia to release her immediately "so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates".

"My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan [ jailed on espionage charges] home safely as soon as possible," Mr Biden added.

Ms Griner's defence team said it will appeal the verdict, adding that the court "completely ignored all the evidence of the defence, and most importantly, the guilty plea".

"The verdict is absolutely unreasonable. We will certainly file an appeal," the team said in a statement.

Her hearing comes with tensions soaring between Moscow and Washington over Russia's military intervention in Ukraine that has sparked international condemnation and a litany of Western sanctions.

Ms Griner's trial has accelerated in recent days as the US and Russia discuss a potential prisoner swap that could involve the basketball star.

"I ask the court to find Griner guilty and sentence her to nine years and six months in prison," prosecutor Nikolay Vlasenko said, requesting a term just short of the maximum punishment