Russian court rejects Brittney Griner’s nine-year prison sentence appeal

A Russian court has rejected US basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.

The defence for the WNBA athlete had called for either an acquittal or a reduction of her prison sentence, which was rejected on Tuesday, 25 October.

Unless the US government is able to negotiate a deal, the 32-year-old could be facing nine years in a penal colony.

Ms Griner was detained after illegal cannabis oil was allegedly found in her luggage at a Moscow airport shortly before Russia launched its war in Ukraine.

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