She had to fill mattresses
Video shows Griner’s everyday life in the Russian prison
Brittney Griner was released on Thursday after months in prison in Russia. A video now gives an insight into her life in Russian captivity.
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Brittney Griner has been released from Russian custody after months. A video shows how she lived in the prison colony.
In mid-November, Brittney Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia after losing an appeal on her conviction. Now, just after her release thanks to a prisoner swap, video has surfaced showing what the WNBA star endured during her time in captivity.
The 32-year-old lived in the colony with several people in one room. Griner, who has shaved off her long hair, is seen making her bed. Their daily activities in detention apparently included stuffing mattresses. It seems as if she has already completed Russian lessons.
Nine years in prison for cannabis oil
At the end of the video, the American signs her discharge papers before starting her journey home. Griner is released thanks to a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. In return, the convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout – also known as the “dealer of death” – is released for the basketball player.
Griner was arrested at an airport in the Moscow region in February on drug smuggling charges after cannabis oil was found in her luggage. At the beginning of August, the 32-year-old was finally sentenced to nine years in prison. (mab)