Griner loses appeal against nine-year Russian jail term

A Russian tribunal has rejected an entreaty by US hoops prima Brittney Griner against her "traumatic" nine-year jailhouse word for drugs charges.

The tribunal adjacent Moscow upheld the sentence, with the authorities authoritative calling it "fair".

The treble Olympic victor apologised for her "honest mistake" successful her entreaty proceeding via video link, saying it had been "very, precise stressful".

Griner, 31, was convicted successful August of smuggling and possessing cannabis oil.

The sportswoman's lawyer, Alexander Boykov, told the court, "No judge, manus connected heart, volition honestly accidental that Griner's nine-year condemnation is successful enactment with Russian transgression law."

Griner, who is considered 1 of the world's apical players, was detained successful February astatine an airdrome adjacent Moscow erstwhile vape cartridges containing cannabis lipid were recovered successful her luggage.

She had travel to Russia to play nine hoops during the US off-season.

Russia invaded Ukraine soon aft her arrest, and her lawsuit has since go taxable to high-profile diplomacy betwixt the US and Russia.