U.S. basketball player Griner convicted in Russia appeals sentence - defense

MOSCOW. Aug 15 (Interfax) - The defense team for United States basketball player Brittney Griner has filed an appeal against her conviction in Russia, Griner's defense lawyers told Interfax.

"Brittney Griner's defense team has filed an appeal against the Khimki Court's sentence," lawyers Marina Blagovolina and Alexander Boikov said in a statement.

On August 4, the Khimki City Court sentenced Griner to nine years of imprisonment at a penal colony and a fine of one million rubles for smuggling a narcotic substance.