Image source, EPAThe US basketball star was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.
As she was being taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs, she said she loved her family.
The two-time Olympic gold medal winner admitted to the court that she had made a mistake.
She was found guilty of having narcotics and of being a smuggler. The prosecution wanted a nine-and-a-half year sentence.
The presiding judge said that she took into account the fact that the American had already been in jail.
Maria Blagovolina said her client was very stressed.
She can't say anything. It's hard for her. We told her to go see us on Thursday. She told them to see them on the end of the world. It appears that she was correct.
The verdict will be appealed by the defence team.
In February of this year, one of the best players in the world was stopped at an airport near Moscow when cannabis oil was found in her luggage.
She came to Russia to play basketball.
Her case has become a topic of high-profile diplomacy between the US and Russia.
The sentencing was denounced by US President Joe Biden.
A threat to the safety of everyone travelling, working, and living abroad is posed by Russia and any other country that engages in wrongful detaining.
The US and Russia have been talking about a possible prisoner swap that could involve a basketball player, so it's not clear how long she'll be in jail.
According to reports in the US, the Merchant of Death could be transferred to the Russian authorities as part of the deal.
John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, urged Russia to accept the "serious proposal" offered by the US for the release of the two men.
There is a serious proposal. They are urged to accept it. When we first made it, they should have accepted it a long time ago.
After the court heard closing arguments, he said, "I made an honest mistake, and I hope you don't kill me."
She denied that she planned to commit the crime.
She said that she had to use a translation app on her phone to communicate and that she had not received an explanation of her rights.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
