Enes Kanter Freedom is against Brittney Griner's exchange for Russian arms trafficker / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Human rights activist and NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom gave his position on the Russian court sentencing WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for bringing two vape cartridges with cannabis oil into Russia.

Enes Kanter Freedom

Position:PF, CAge:30Height:211 cmWeight:121 kgBirth place:Zurich, SwitzerlandProfileNewsStatistics

Kanter gave his position to Fox news. While he agreed, that the sentence was harsh, Kanter did not like the idea of a recently proposed trade of prisoners between Griner and a former marine Paul Whelan for a Russian arms dealer who is detained in the United States.

"First of all, you know, she pleaded guilty and the sentence is harsh, and of course, like everyone else, I want her to return back home because I know how the Russian jails can get tough," said Kanter.

"I know one thing that she misses: the national anthem – every word of the national anthem in that Russian jails," the Turkish player continued.

"But, you know, I've been following her case very closely and the one thing that I will say, we cannot be sending a merchant of death," Kanter explained.

"A person who is responsible for thousands of lives by selling illegal weapons in Africa, in Asia, and we cannot trade that horrible human being for her. It's just not a fair trade," Kanter concluded.

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