Brittney Griner, a prominent American basketball player and two-time Olympic gold medallist, has shared distressing details about her 10-month detention in a Russian prison. Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in 2022 after authorities discovered vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence.

During her imprisonment, Griner described enduring severe hardships, including unsanitary conditions that she called “the dirtiest” she had ever been. The mental strain of her situation was so intense that she considered suicide, particularly during the early weeks of her detention. She feared that if she took her own life, her body would not be returned to her family by Russian authorities.

Griner also spoke about the additional challenges she faced as a gay American woman in the Russian penal system, including inappropriate behaviors from guards. Her experience has left significant psychological and physical impacts, complicating her readjustment to life after release.

Following her ordeal, which ended in December 2022 through a prisoner exchange, Griner has decided not to play basketball overseas anymore, except when representing the United States national team. She has returned to playing competitive basketball and emphasizes the importance of mental health and support for individuals facing similar adversities.

In a notable moment during her imprisonment, Griner revealed that she was coerced into writing a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing forgiveness and gratitude as part of her efforts to navigate her circumstances. Her experiences highlight the complex interplay of international relations and individual rights.