The White House, meanwhile, has said they are working on a potential prisoner exchange with Russia to bring Griner and another American imprisoned in the country back to the U.S.
WNBA starBrittney Grinerhas been sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison, on charges of smuggling drugs into the country.
Griner's lawyers said, in a statement shared with PEOPLE, that the verdict, just below the maximum sentence of 10 years, is "absolutely unreasonable" and said they will "certainly file an appeal."
"That's why I pled guilty to my charges. I understand everything that's been said against me, the charges that are against me and that is why I pled guilty but I had no intents to break any Russian laws," Griner said, according to CNN.
In a statement, President Joe Biden said the ruling was "unacceptable."
"Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney," he said. "It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible."
Russian prosecutors had asked the judge during closing arguments to sentence Griner to nine years and six months in prison, just below the maximum allowed sentence of 10 years. The prosecution also asked that Griner was fined 1 million rubles, roughly equivalent to $16,600, according to The New York Times.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Thursday that the Russian court's ruling "spotlights our concerns with the Russian government's use of wrongful detentions."
Last Wednesday, Blinken said that the Biden administration offered a "substantial" deal to Russia to secure the pair's release, the White House confirmed to PEOPLE, and he reiterated Thursday that they plan to "do everything we can" to bring Griner and Paul Whelan home "as soon as possible."
RELATED VIDEO: Brittney Griner Says She 'Had No Intention to Break the Law' While Testifying in Russian Court
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The U.S. reportedly offered to swap the two for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, and Russian officials have also asked the U.S. to include a convicted murder and former Russian spy named Vadim Krasikov, according to CNN.
Both the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, and a Defense Department spokesperson have said Russia made this counter-proposal in "bad faith," according to CNN and ESPN.
"It's a bad faith attempt to avoid a very serious offer and proposal that the United States has put forward and we urge Russia to take that offer seriously," Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday.
Luanda - Marches and airtime on radio and television were the highlight on Sunday, 15th day of campaign across the country, in the scope of the general elections, slated for 24 August, with the involvement of the eight contenders.
PHA
The Humanist Party of Angola (PHA) in its ten minutes of airtime on Angola National Radio (RNA) station called for the alignment of public administration with the principles of the democratic rule of law and the new humanism from the point of view of organization, operation and conduct of its agents.
P-NJANGO
Eduardo Chingunji, candidate of P-NJANGO for President of the Republic, during the ten-minute airtime in the RNA, advised his competitors to sensitize the population so that the elections take place in a climate of peace and festivity.
UNITA
The head of the UNITA list, Adalberto Costa Júnior, appealed to the need for Angolans to unite for a better future, similar to the last 20 years, in which “everyone made efforts to unite the country”.
The politician was speaking during the party´s Radio airtime, as part of the election campaign.
FNLA
The candidate for President of the Republic, Nimi Simbi, reaffirmed in Uige Province the priority placed on developing agriculture, in order to promote food self-sufficiency in the country.
CASA-CE
The head of the Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola - Electoral Coalition (CASA-CE) called for greater speed in the processing of legal cases so that the country gain credibility and attract foreign investment capable of reviving the national economy and stimulating sustainable development.
Manuel Fernandes was speaking during the party´s ten minutes of airtime on the public radio.
APN
The head of the National Patriotic Alliance (APN), Quintino Moreira, in Namibe Province, called on Angolans to go to the polls to exercise their right to vote in this year´s general elections.
PRS
The Social Renewal Party (PRS) intends to propose to the National Assembly (parliament), the approval of the law on traditional authorities, in case of winning the general elections.
During the ten minutes of airtime on the radio, the PRS president said that traditional authorities conserve the face of the identity and origin of the people and should, therefore, have a legislation to regulate them.
MPLA
The MPLA candidate for President of the Republic, João Lourenço, met on Sunday with professional and amateur cyclists, young people from different social strata and civil servants.
João Lourenço, 68, pedalled a bicycle for 23 kilometres in 50 minutes across the city of Luanda and, at the end of the ride, urged the youth to do sports to build a healthy country.
Luanda – The minister of State for Social Affairs, Carolina Cerqueira, reinforced Sunday at Muxima locality, Luanda’s Quissama Municipality, the commitment of the Angolan government to peace, dialogue and harmonious relations among Angolans.
Speaking to ANGOP on the sidelines of the closing mass of the pilgrimage to the Muxima Sanctuary, Carolina Cerqueira appealed to Angolans to remain united due to the goals of national reconciliation, sustainable development and prosperity of families.
Carolina Cerqueira said that after a two-year break for the biggest national religious event because of the covid-19 pandemic, Catholic worshipers have gathered for an act of popular piety, to celebrate the journey of the christian faith.
According to the minister, the Catholic faithful who attended the event have prayed for free, fair and transparent elections so that the officials to be elected may prioritise the common good and the national interest, so that Angola continue to be a respected nation.
Regarding the elections, she appealed to voters to participate massively and in an orderly manner, with citizenship and patriotism spirit to honour democracy and boost the credibility of the process.
She requested that each one should refrain from acts and words that create distrust, promoting social and spiritual tranquillity through bridges of understanding and harmony.
She congratulated young people, who will vote for the first time, calling on them to be exemplar in order to dignify the youth and the future of the country.
The ceremony was presided by the Bishop of Luanda in the presence of Cardinal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento and the Bishop of the Diocese of Viana, Dom EmÃlio Sumbelelo.
Meanwhile, the closing mass of the pilgrimage to the Muxima Sanctuary was also attended by the vice-governor of Luanda for Political and Social Sector, Júlio Bessa, the minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment, Filipe Zau, State Secretaries, plus the Administrator of Quissama Municipality, Marta Mendes Amaro.
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