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US basketballer Griner’s lawyer hints on filing another appeal with Russian court

It is noted that the US basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia earlier in the year on charges of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country

MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. A defense for US basketballer Brittney Griner, sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia on charges of drug smuggling, would temporary abstain from filing a cassation appeal with a higher court, her lawyer Alexander Boikov told TASS on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, a Moscow regional court upheld a lower court’s ruling to sentence Griner to nine years behind bars after she was found guilty of drug smuggling.

"An issue of filing an appeal needs to be discussed with our client," Boikov said. "We believe that all available legal tools should be employed considering the severity of the verdict."

"We are disappointed that the court found it impossible to mitigate the sentence," the lawyer added.

US basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia earlier in the year on charges of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. She flew to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport from New York, where upon arrival, two cartridges with cannabis oil were found in her luggage during baggage inspection. According to an expert review, the substance was cannabis oil, which qualifies as a narcotic substance.

The 32-year-old professional basketball player is a two-time World Champion and a two-time Olympic Champion. Before the arrest, she played for the Russian professional basketball club Yekaterinburg.

As a member of the United States national women’s team, Griner won gold medals of the 2014 and 2018 World Championships, as well as of the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement released earlier on Tuesday that US President Joe Biden is ready to go to great lengths to bring home all US nationals being held in custody in Russia.

Sullivan stated: "We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today."

"In recent weeks, the Biden-[Vice President Kamala] Harris Administration has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney [Griner]," the statement added.

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