Brittney Griner has been transferred to a Russian penal colony
Brittney Griner has been moved to a Russian penal colony, ending days of speculation over the American basketball star’s whereabouts.
“On behalf of Brittney, we would like to thank everyone who has expressed care for her. We visited her early this week. Brittney is doing as well as could be expected and trying to stay strong as she adapts to a new environment. Considering that this is a very challenging period for her, there will be no further comments from us.”
brittney griner lawyer statement
U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, walks after the final statements in a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia August 4, 2022. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department touched base with Griner’s legal team amid reports she had been transferred seven hours away from Moscow.
Russia allows forced labor in penal colonies and there have been reports of torture in some cases.
We strongly protest the movement of Brittney Griner to a remote penal colony and the Russian government’s use of wrongful detentions. I am committed to bringing home Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan as soon as possible.