Brittney Griner Facing 9 years

Photo: NBC News

MOSCOW — WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty of deliberately smuggling drugs into Russia and sentenced to nine years of jail time Thursday. The verdict comes about six months after the two-time US Olympic basketball gold medalist was arrested at a Moscow airport and accused by Russian prosecutors of trying to smuggle less than 1 gram of cannabis oil into her luggage. The case initially raised concerns and speculation that Griner was being used as a political pawn in Russia's war against Ukraine. Now after her harsh sentencing, many are wondering if those speculations are not too far off from the truth.

While Judge Anna Sotnikova of the Khimki city court announced the sentence, Griner had a blank expression on her face as she listened to her fate. Sotnikova revealed the court took into account Griner's partial admission of guilt, remorse, and state of health and charitable activities. Despite Griner’s guilty plea, prosecutors had asked that she be sentenced to 9.5 years in jail and pay 1 million rubles, or about $16,400.

It is important to note, that it was evident the U.S officials and Griner believed she would be sentenced. The plan was to orchestrate a trade-off for Russian prisoner, Viktor Bout, in exchange for Griner. Note, that in order for the trade to be fulfilled, sentencing would have to be ordained. Therefore, while the sentencing was deemed harsh, it was according to the plan to fulfill the trade after all.

On Thursday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby spoke to reporters in a White House briefing.

"It's now "up to the Russian side" on whether Griner's conviction opens new doors for negotiations of a prisoner swap. We're still open to having our proposal seriously and positively considered, and if on the Russian side that means they feel like they're more empowered to do that, then so be it," said Kirby.

President Joe Biden called the sentencing “unacceptable.”

Russia being able to deny the prisoner-swap raises concern. In other words, the decision lies in Russia's hands and that may be the only hope we have for Griner to be back home with her family. Griner told CNN reporter, “I love my family.”

All we can do now is await Russia’s decision.