US basketball star Brittney Griner’s defense team has filed an appeal against his conviction for drug possession and trafficking in Russia.
Griner She was jailed for nine years on August 4 after pleading guilty to the charges.
The athlete, who played for Russia’s Ekaterinburg team during the WNBA’s off-season, was arrested at a Moscow airport on February 17 after cannabis vaporizer cartridges were found in her luggage.
Griner, who was also a center for the Phoenix Mercury and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, said he made an “honest mistake” by entering Russia with cannabis oil, which is illegal in the country.
I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of [Yekaterinburg] for my mistake I made and the embarrassment I caused them, ”Griner said after his conviction.
“I also want to apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization at home, the amazing women of the WNBA and my amazing spouse at home.
“I made an honest mistake and I hope my life doesn’t end here in your sentence.”
The US government claims that Griner, 31, was wrongfully arrested.
He has offered to trade her with Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
