WNBA superstar Brittney Griner received disappointing news, as her appeal was recently rejected by a Russian court. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison and she was hoping to get a reduction in her sentence. But after a Russian court rejected her appeal, Griner then broke her silence on the matter.

Griner was detained at a Moscow airport back in February for carrying illegal substances in her luggage. And she was later put on trial where she pleaded guilty to the charges. She then asked for leniency for her mistake but she found none of it, as a court later sentenced her to nine years in prison.

Many felt that the sentencing was very harsh, but she did have another chance to plead her case. However, it was recently rejected as well.

Brittney Griner opens up on her ordeal while behind bars

Griner was understandably not happy with the decision of the court and she opened up during her appeal hearing. And she did this while behind bars. She said, “This has been very traumatic experience, waiting for this day, waiting for the first court, and getting nine years for a crime that I was barely over the significant amount.”

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“I don?t understand the first court?s decision to give one year less than the max when I?ve been here almost 8 months, and people with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given? I really hope that the court will adjust this sentence…”

The eight-time WNBA All-Star added that she is under extreme stress due to the situation she is experiencing. On top of that, she also added that it has been very difficult being away from her home, her family, and her loved ones.?But all of this apparently fell on deaf ears, as the court soon after rejected her appeal.

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The US government has previously been in contact with Russia for a possible prisoner swap to get Griner and another American currently incarcerated in Russia, Paul Whelan, back home. But talks have reportedly been slow to progress and US officials say that there has been very little progress. Her lawyers remain hopeful that a prisoner exchange will be possible in the near future.