Russian prosecutors seek 9 1/2-year sentence for Griner

Russian prosecutors seek 9 1/2-year sentence for Griner

FILE - WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, July 7, 2022. Closing arguments in Brittney Griner's cannabis possession case in Russia are set for Thursday. That's nearly six months after the American basketball star was arrested at a Moscow airport in a case that has reached the highest levels of U.S.-Russia diplomacy. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — Russian prosecutors have asked a court outside Moscow to sentence American basketball star Brittney Griner to 9 1/2 years in prison on cannabis possession charges. Closing arguments in Griner’s trial are taking place Thursday, nearly six months after her arrest at a Moscow airport and subsequent detention. Although a conviction appears almost certain and Griner has acknowledged having vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage, judges have considerable latitude on sentencing. A defense lawyer argued that Griner brought the cartridges with her to Russia inadvertently and only used cannabis while in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal. A prosecutor argued that Griner packed the cannabis oil deliberately.

Photo: (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)