The Latest Breaking News from Brittney Griner

Russia said on Friday it was ready to discuss prisoner swaps with the United States through an existing diplomatic channel, a day a Russian court sentenced basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for a drugs offence. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said President Vladimir Putin and his US…

The US basketball star was sentenced to nine years in jail on Thursday.

What a powerful moment in support of Brittney Griner.

The sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years behind bars and a fine of 1 million rubles – between US$10,000 and $20,000 depending on the exchange rate – should come as no surprise to those familiar with Russian law.

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"I hope that in your ruling that it doesn't end my life here," Griner said prior to sentencing

United States urges Russia to accept a "serious proposal" Washington made weeks ago for the return of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday.

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.