Brittney Griner defense team reveals next big move in Russia

American WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years in prison after for bringing vape cartridges containing cannabis oils through a Moscow airport last week. However, it appears Griner is not content with that verdict.

On Monday, Griner and her legal team filed an appeal of that nine-year sentence just after Russia confirmed for the first time that negotiations about a potential prisoner swap between the United States and Russia were underway. The plan would swap Griner and another American prisoner for Russian prisoners currently in American prisons.

According to the New York Times, the appeal was expected and is the next step in the process even as the two sides continue to discuss a potential prisoner swap. Russia said that all legal avenues must be exhausted before any prisoner swap can take place. This includes the appeals process.

Despite the update, experts have long considered the Russian legal process a sham, and a prisoner swap was always the most likely option.

While it’s unclear exactly how long the appeals process will take, the New York Times reports that Griners’ legal team expects it could take up to three months to be adjudicated. The WNBA star has been in Russian custody since February.

[New York Times]

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