US President Joe Biden slams Russian court

Washington: US President Joe Biden reacted sharply to the sentencing of American basketball star Brittney Griner to nine and a half years in jail by a Moscow court Thursday, saying it is "unacceptable" and she should be released immediately.

Griner was sentenced to nine years in jail and fined a million rubles (roughly $16,000) as punishment for allegedly flying into Moscow on February 17 with 0.702 grams of cannabis oil.

Biden said in a statement the sentence is "one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney".

"It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates," added.

The American President vowed his administration will do "everything possible" to bring Griner home, as well as Paul Whelan, a former US marine arrested by Moscow allegedly for spying. He was tried in a secret court and sentenced to 16 years in jail.

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