Russian court denies Brittney Griner's appeal

A Russian court on Tuesday rejected U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal of her prison sentence for drug possession, a decision that likely leaves a prisoner swap as her best option for freedom.

Hi, it's Julius with an update on Ukraine. 

Prior to the appeal's rejection, Griner's lawyers argued that her nine-year sentence was excessive. They said defendants in similar cases have received an average sentence of about five years, with about a third of them granted parole.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan denounced Tuesday’s hearing as “another sham judicial proceeding,” saying in a statement that President Joe Biden “is willing to go to extraordinary lengths and make tough decisions to bring Americans home.”

Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said the Russian court dispensed a very quick resolution, unlike the appeals process in U.S. federal courts.

"Griner’s best hope now appears to be some form of prisoner swap with Russia," he said. 

At her trial, Griner admitted to having the canisters in her luggage but testified she packed them inadvertently in her haste to make her flight and had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements saying she had been prescribed cannabis to treat chronic pain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

More updates to know:

• The International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing to inspect two Ukrainian nuclear facilities amid Russia’s claims that Ukraine is developing a “dirty bomb," said the agency's chief, Rafael Grossi.
• Up to 85% of of Iranian-made Russian drones are being taken down by Ukrainian military forces, the British Defense Ministry reported. 
• A group of 30 Democrats in the House wrote a letter urging President Biden to seek a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine, then withdrew it Tuesday.