WNBA star Brittney Griner said she thought about killing herself during her first few weeks in a Russian jail after her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges. Griner spoke for the first time about her monthslong detention in Russia during an hourlong interview that aired Wednesday night on ABC. Her memoir, “Coming Home,” is set to be released on May 7.
Quick Read
- Brittney Griner’s Harrowing Experience: Brittney Griner revealed she contemplated suicide during her initial weeks in a Russian jail, following her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges.
- Emotional Strain: Griner expressed the intense despair she felt while detained, driven by isolation and fear that her body wouldn’t be returned to her family if she died.
- Political Context: Her detention coincided with heightened U.S.-Russia tensions due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, complicating her release efforts.
- Forced Communication with Putin: Griner disclosed that she was coerced into writing a letter seeking forgiveness from Russian President Vladimir Putin as a condition of her release.
- Exchange and Release: Griner was ultimately released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, although she was disheartened that fellow American detainee Paul Whelan was not included in the swap.
- Return to Normalcy: Following her release, Griner is set to continue her career with the Phoenix Mercury as the WNBA season approaches.
The Associated Press has the story:
Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during 1st few weeks in Russian jail
Newslooks- PHOENIX (AP) —
WNBA star Brittney Griner said she thought about killing herself during her first few weeks in a Russian jail after her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges. Griner spoke for the first time about her monthslong detention in Russia during an hourlong interview that aired Wednesday night on ABC. Her memoir, “Coming Home,” is set to be released on May 7.
Griner was detained after arriving at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from cannabis.
“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” Griner told interviewer Robin Roberts. “I felt like leaving here so badly.”
She decided against it in part because she was afraid the Russian authorities wouldn’t release her body to her family.
Her plight unfolded at the same time Russia invaded Ukraine and further heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S., ending only after she was freed in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Griner said before she was released, she was forced to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she said. “I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home.”
She was disappointed when she got on the plane for the trade and that Paul Whelan, another American who has been detained in Russia, wasn’t with her.
“I walked on and didn’t see him, maybe he’s next. Maybe they will bring him next,” she said. “They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You’re not going to let this man come home now.”
Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA season begins on May 14.
