WNBA star Brittney Griner has been in a Russian prison for more than eight months. She was detained in February for carrying cannabis oil at an airport near Moscow. The Phoenix Mercury center pleaded guilty but maintained it was never her intention to break the law. After multiple hearings, she received a nine-year sentence. This shook her friends and family and multiple celebrities voiced their condemnation as well. However, things have not changed so far.

The former WNBA champion’s representatives have further appealed the sentence. On October 25, there is a hearing about the appeal of her conviction. And there are fears that the sentencing might not be reduced in the hearing. There have been suggestions for a prisoner swap deal from the beginning to bring her back home. However, not everyone in the country likes the idea of letting go of an arms dealer to get her back.

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Furthermore, even Griner herself is not very optimistic about the prisoner swap as per reports. Also, she is scared that she might have to serve the whole sentence in Russia according to one of her lawyers, Alexandr D. Boykov.

Life of Brittney Griner in a Russian prison

Alexandr D. Boykov recently revealed some details about Griner’s life in a Russian prison. He stated she is allowed outside once a day for one hour during which she walks. She has also been reading multiple books. Boykov added she spends most of her time with her two inmates. The two inmates and Brittney Griner sometimes play board games. Journalist Ekaterina Kalugina disclosed Griner said that her inmates at the time speak English and were also in prison on drug-related charges.

While cannabis is legal in many states in the U.S., it is illegal in Russia and many other countries. But many felt that the nine-year sentence was harsh given the amount of cannabis oil allegedly found. Her lawyers also argued she was prescribed cannabis as a pain medication for her sports injuries. Documents of the doctor’s prescription were also produced during the hearing. However, she was still given a nine-year sentence.

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If her appeal is unsuccessful, she could be sent to a prisoner camp where she would be expected to do some form of labor for hours. President Joe Biden recently met with Griner’s spouse Cherelle at the Oval office. He reassured her about the government’s efforts to bring Griner back home.

Do you think Brittney Griner’s nine-year sentence is harsh? Let us know in the comments.