A Russian court has sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years prison on drugs charges, after finding her guilty of narcotics possession and smuggling for bringing cannabis-infused vape cartridges into Russia.
A Russian state prosecutor had requested 9.5 years in prison for Ms Griner, who said in her closing remarks that bringing the cartridges into Russia had been "an honest mistake".
Her sentencing could pave the way for a high-profile prisoner swap between Russia and the United States that would include the 31-year-old athlete and an imprisoned Russian who was once a prolific arms dealers.
Ms Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a Women's National Basketball Association star, pleaded with a Russian judge not to "end her life" with a harsh prison sentence for bringing in vape cartridges containing hashish oil, before breaking down in tears in court.
She was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on February 17 with vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty but said she had neither intended to bring a banned substance to Russia, nor to hurt anybody.
In a teary statement before the verdict, she implored the judge to recognise her actions as a mistake.
"I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling, that it doesn't end my life here," Ms Griner said.
The vape cartridges threw the Texan athlete into the geopolitical maelstrom triggered when Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February.
During the most strained US-Russian relations since the Cold War US President Joe Biden is under pressure to intervene on behalf of Americans held in Russia.
He wasted little time offering a response to the ruling.
Mr Biden said on Thursday that the sentencing was "unacceptable" and called on Moscow to release her immediately.
"Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney," he said in a statement.
"It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates."
The United States has been pushing Moscow to accept a deal that aims to secure the release of Ms Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan, both American citizens.
"It's a serious proposal. We urge them to accept it. They should have accepted it weeks ago when we first made it," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, without offering details.
One source familiar with the situation said that Washington was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout — whose life helped inspire the 2005 Hollywood film Lord of War — starring Nicolas Cage.
Russia had tried to add convicted murderer Vadim Krasikov, who is in prison in Germany, to the proposed swap, a source familiar with the proceedings said.
When asked if Washington would be willing to reconsider Russia's request after Ms Griner's sentencing, Mr Kirby dismissed it: "I don't think we go so far as to even call it a counter-offer."
Russian officials say a deal has not been reached. They argue that Ms Griner, known as "BG" to basketball fans, violated laws and should be judged accordingly.
ABC/Wires
