WNBA star Brittney Griner is sharing her side of the story in an upcoming ABC News interview, her first since being released from Russian prisons after months of detention. The promotional video for the interview, titled “Prisoner in Russia,” shows Griner speaking candidly about her arrest and time in prison, describing feeling “less than human” and having suicidal thoughts while detained. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star, was arrested at a Russian airport in February 2022 and later pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the discovery of cannabis-derived oil cartridges in her luggage. She was released in December in a one-for-one prisoner swap for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout, bringing an end to an ordeal that sparked intense negotiations between Washington and Moscow. The hour-long special will also include interviews with Griner’s wife, attorney Cherelle Griner, special presidential envoy of hostage affairs Roger Carstens, and Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas. Since her release, Griner has made her WNBA return and recently announced that she and her wife are expecting their first child in July 2024. She is also set to publish a memoir, “Coming Home,” detailing her journey and the challenges she faced during her detainment in Russia.
Brittney Griner’s First Interview Since Return from Russian Prison to Air on ABC News
