Antony Blinken

Russian court rejects Griner appeal of her 9-year sentence

A Russian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession, a step that could move her closer to a possible high-stakes prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington. The eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Bring her home.#WeAreBG 🧡 pic.twitter.com/YMQlm8AAa1 — Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) October 26, 2022 Griner, 32, was not at the Moscow Regional Court hearing but appeared