Eight-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in February 2021 for having hashish oil in her luggage, lost her appeal in a Russian court. She received a full nine-year sentence and will serve it in a Russian penal colony.

Griner’s worst nightmare came true.

Overturning decisions over such matters are close to impossible in Russia. But experts say that there might be a small chance for a release if both governments get into a prisoner swap agreement. Alexander Boykov, one of Griner’s lawyers, is hoping for this outcome.

Last July, the 32-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty in a Russian court for possessing vape canisters of cannabis oil in her luggage. She was caught in the Moscow airport. Medical cannabis is illegal in Russia but may be used as prescribed in most US states. The basketball star had her prescription of the drug due to chronic pain, her defense team said. According to Griner, she accidentally brought it in her hurry to pack for her flight. 

Brittany’s wife, Cherelle Griner, said that she was not sure where her partner will get the will to exist in a place without her family and loved ones. Griner, despite the stress and trauma, had continued to hope for a better outcome before the results of the appeal were out. “People with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given,” she shared.

Her lawyers also say that the punishment given was too much for the case. They said that they “must use all the available legal tools, especially given the harsh and unprecedented nature of her sentence.” 

American national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Griner was being held under “intolerable circumstances” and that she was a victim of “sham judicial proceeding.” Meanwhile, President Biden said that despite the lack of positive replies, they are continuously communicating with Russian authorities to address the issue and do a swap of prisoners to secure Griner’s release.

In discussions, the US State Department has reportedly offered to swap Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for the return of Griner and Paul Whelan, another American held in Russia.

Because of the tensions between the US and Russia, and the war in Ukraine, Russia appears to have the upper hand and Griner has been caught in the “cold war’s” crossfire.