WNBA Brittney Griner’s appeal for her nine-year prison sentence in Russia was rejected Tuesday.
The Mercury star and Olympic gold medalist was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, accused of transporting hashish oil in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to the charges in July, with her attorneys arguing she had no intention of breaking the law.
After the news was released Tuesday, National security adviser Jake Sullivan released a statement regarding the White House’s continuing fight to bring Griner back home to the U.S.
“We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today,” Sullivan said, via CNN’s Natasha Bertrand.