Brittney Griner, a WNBA player, was arrested in Russia at the Sheremetyevo International Airport on Feb. 17, 2022. She was detained by the Russian Federal Custom Service for possession of cannabis oil found in her luggage. In July, Griner was found guilty of trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

Griner’s lawyers made an attempt to provide a letter from a U.S. doctor stating she used medical cannabis to treat chronic pain, hoping to help her case; however, the use of any cannabis is illegal in Russia. The UMMC team doctor also testified that Griner never tested positive for drugs during the time she played for the Russian basketball team.

During her trial, Griner pleaded guilty, stating, “I made an honest mistake.” She told the judge, “I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here.”

Russian courts have been known to issue harsh sentences, especially to high profile foreigners. On Aug.4 she was sentenced to nine years in prison and a fine of $16,300. After the verdict, Griner’s lawyers filed an appeal. Her appeal is scheduled for Oct. 25.

This sentence caught the attention of The President of the United States, Joe Biden. He demanded that she be returned to the U.S. The Biden administration has also offered a prisoner exchange: Griner for a Russian arms trafficker. Russia felt that if they released Griner for her conviction, then the US should release Viktor Bout, Russian prisoner in the U.S. convicted of murder.

The negotiation that involves the prisoner swap has been followed up for months. The U.S. and her family have a desire to get her back and are trying their best to do so. Through this process her WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, as well as the WNBA basketball league, have been supporting her.