A Russian court sentenced the US basketball player to nine years in prison after she was found guilty of drug charges.
The court imposed a fine on Griner.
She was arrested in February at a Russian airport on accusations that she was trying to smuggle cannabis oil into the country.
The charge had a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Russian prosecutors wanted the court to sentence her to 912 years in prison and impose a 1 million ruble fine.
The court will make a decision later Thursday.
Following closing arguments, Griner said that he didn't mean to hurt anyone. I didn't mean to put the Russians in danger. I didn't mean to break any laws.
Her lawyers have said that she only uses cannabis for medical reasons.
She accidentally packed the cannabis canisters in her suitcase because she was in a hurry.
One week ago, the Biden administration confirmed it made an offer to the Russian government for the release of two Americans. The prison sentence was called unacceptable by President Joe Biden.
Biden called on Russia to let her go so she could be with her family.
The president said that his administration would continue to work and pursue every possible avenue to bring the two people home.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that the U.S. put a substantial proposal on the table for the release of the two men. The top U.S. diplomat said he would discuss the offer with his Russian counterpart, in what would be the first known conversation between the two since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine.
John Kirby is a National Security Council spokesman. We want the Russians to move in a positive direction so we can get these two people home.
Kirby said that the details of it should be left between the US and Russia.
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner stands inside a defendants’ cage before a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on July 26, 2022.She wrote a letter to Biden asking for his help with her case.
In a July 5 letter, a professional athlete wrote that he was terrified that he might be here forever because he was alone in a Russian prison.
I know you are dealing with a lot, but please don't forget about me and other Americans. Please do everything you can to get us home.
Biden and Harris called the player's wife after they received the letter. The U.S. diplomats hand-delivered in Moscow received a reply from Biden.
According to a White House readout of the call, Biden reassured her that he was working to get her husband out of prison. He said on the call that he is trying to get the man out of Russia.
He was charged with acting as a spy for the US. He was in Russia to attend a wedding when he was arrested.
Biden signed an executive order last month that expands the administration's tools to deter hostage-taking.
Financial sanctions and visa bans will be imposed on people involved in hostage-taking if a new executive order is approved.
A senior Biden administration official said last month that the executive order reflected the administration's commitment to the families in particular.
The United States and Russia agreed to swap prisoners in April.
Reed was accused of attacking a police officer in Russia. He was sentenced to nine years in Russia. Reed and his family have always maintained his innocence.
For Reed's release, Biden agreed to free Yaroshenko, who was sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
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