Brittney Griner appeals conviction amid talks of prisoner swap

Lawyers for Brittney Griner filed an attraction for the WNBA star’s nine-year conviction almost two weeks after she was discovered responsible of smuggling medicine into Russia.

Griner, 31, was discovered responsible on Aug. 4 on drug-smuggling fees and was sentenced to 9 years in a penal colony coupled with a $16,300 advantageous. Nonetheless, the U.S. State Division has maintained Griner was wrongfully detained, accusing the Kremlin of holding her prisoner as a political pawn amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

PUTIN WANTS TO BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH BIDEN ON GRINER PRISONER SWAP

The basketball star’s attraction, reported by Russian retailers on Monday, comes amid talks of a prisoner swap after Russia indicated earlier this month it could be open to a personal dialogue between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The basketball star was initially detained in February, however Russian officers mentioned the authorized struggle needs to be concluded earlier than discussing a prisoner change. The swap might embrace talks to free Paul Whelan, a former Marine who has been held in Russian detention since 2018 and was convicted in 2020 on espionage fees, and a Russian arms supplier, in response to reviews.

Griner had pleaded responsible to the costs, hoping her statements of regret would sway the choose to offer her a extra lenient sentence. She testified she makes use of hashish oil within the U.S. for power ache however knew that carrying hashish to Russia was unlawful.