"We are aware of the announcement by Russia of another travesty of justice which will be imposed on Brittney Griner", star of women's basketball, sentenced to a heavy prison sentence by the Russian justice, said Tuesday the spokeswoman of the White House.
“She should be immediately released,” added Karine Jean-Pierre during her daily press conference.
Brittney Griner, sentenced in Russia to nine years in prison for cannabis trafficking, has appealed her conviction, and this appeal will be heard on October 25 by a Russian court.
Considered one of the best basketball players in the world, Brittney Griner, 31, was arrested in February in Moscow in possession of a vaporizer containing cannabis-based liquid.
She admitted having been in possession of this substance, however claiming to have brought it to Russia inadvertently and to use it legally in the United States as a painkiller.
A geopolitical trial
His case, along with that of another American detained in the country, former soldier Paul Whelan, took on geopolitical significance in the context of the crisis between Moscow and Washington linked to the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden had met in September with the families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan to assure them of his support.
The United States claims to have made an offer to Moscow for their release.
The Russians must now "make a serious counter-offer", said Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday.
Sport
Russia: Russia wants to discuss a prisoner exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner
World
Conviction of Brittney Griner in Russia: #FreeBG, the sports world calls for the release of the basketball player
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