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Brittney Griner writing memoir about harrowing time in Russian prison

Apr 11, 2023

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was released from a Russian penal colony four months ago, and soon the world will know about what she experienced during her incarceration.

Griner, who was arrested in February 2022 when Russian airport officials found marijuana vape cartridges in her luggage, is currently working on a memoir about her 10 months as a Russian prisoner. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced the currently untitled book on Tuesday, which is scheduled to be released in spring 2024. Griner herself also announced the news on Instagram.

Marijuana is illegal in Russia, so Griner was charged with a drug offense that carries up to 10 years in prison. The U.S. government classified her as wrongfully detained and worked to free her, but Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine made diplomacy extremely complicated.

In August she was convicted and sentenced to nine years in a women's penal colony. Her appeal was denied in October and she was moved to the colony shortly after. One month later, on Dec. 8, 2022, Griner was freed in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Source: Yahoo Sports

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