A Russian court on Thursday sentenced US basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison over drug smuggling
As US President Joe Biden called the ruling "unacceptable"
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Griner, who was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country, had been prepared for a harsh sentence, sources close to the player said.
But she and her supporters have also been aware that Russia was not going to move forward with a trade that could bring her home until her trial was completed.
A guilty verdict was considered a foregone conclusion and Griner pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.
During sentencing, Judge Anna Sotnikova said she had found that Griner intentionally broke the law and also fined her 1 million rubles (about $16,700).
Griner reacted to the sentence with little emotion, listening to the verdict with a blank stare on her face.As she was led out of court, Griner said: "I love my family."
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