MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. The prosecutor's office is asking that the sentence of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was convicted in Russia to 9 years for drug smuggling, be upheld.

"I ask the court to reject the defense’s appeal; all evidence complies with the Criminal Procedural Code," a representative of the prosecution said during a hearing Tuesday.

The defense considers the 9-year sentence too harsh and is asking the court to take into account all background information, both Russian and foreign.

"We believe that the Khimki Court erroneously established criminal intent, Griner had none. She fully admitted her guilt, while the court took only a partial admission of guilt into account," Griner’s lawyer said.

On August 4, the Khimki court sentenced Griner to 9 years in prison, naming her athletic achievements and admission of guilt as mitigating circumstances. She was found guilty of the illegal possession and transportation of drugs, as well as drug smuggling on a significant scale. Griner was arrested for attempting to illegally bring drugs into Russia through the Sheremetyevo Airport. The athlete admitted her guilt, but emphasized that she put cannabis oil in her bag in haste and without any intention to smuggle.

As a US national team player, Griner won the 2014 World Cup in Turkey, the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the 2018 World Cup in Spain and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Prior to her arrest, she played for Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg team.

The US and Russia are engaged in negotiations on a prisoner exchange. The US Administration is seeking the release of Griner and Paul Whelan, convicted in Russia of espionage.