Griner looked devastated as she appeared in a jail cell via video link, as the court denied her appeal of the nine-year sentence.
A Russian court has rejected WNBA star Brittney Griner’s appeal and upheld her nine-year prison sentence.
The Phoenix Mercury player was arrested at a Moscow airport in February and charged with possession of vape canisters containing cannabis oil.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison and was fined one million rubles (approximately $16,000).
Griner appeared from a remand cell via video link at the Moscow Regional Court on Tuesday to hear the outcome of her appeal.
The 32-year-old looked downcast during the hearing as a statement from her was read to the court.
Griner pleaded with the court to grant her appeal based on the grounds she « did plead guilty » and « did not intend to [commit the crime], » which she described as an « honest mistake » but acknowledged she understood the serious charges she faced.
