Brittney Griner opens up about her dehumanizing experience in Russian detention during ABC interview
In a candid interview with ABC, Brittney Griner shares the emotional impact of feeling 'less than human' while detained in Russia. Reflecting on her time in a Russian penal colony, the WNBA star reveals the stark realization of her prison confinement.
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star, shared with ABC that as she looked around her new surroundings in a ****Russian penal colony, she realized the magnitude of her imprisonment. Talking to ABC's Robin Roberts, the 33-year-old Griner expressed that it was in that instant when she felt dehumanized.
Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold-medalist, was detained in February 2022 in Russia. She spent almost 300 days in custody and was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug-smuggling charges. This was after authorities discovered cannabis oil in her luggage.
Griner recalled the moment she saw a large knife on the table, thinking to herself, "Now, this is going to be a ride."
Griner, who was deemed wrongfully detained by the US State Department, shared about the tough conditions she faced to survive. She mentioned a mattress with a large blood stain and the lack of basic necessities like soap and toilet paper. Last December, Griner was released in a prisoner swap that included Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
This is a developing story and more updates will be provided.
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