In her first interview on her conviction in Russia on drug smuggling charges, WNBA star Brittney Griner claimed she considered suicide during the first few weeks of her detention in the European nation.
Griner, 33, discussed her ordeal in an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, as reported by AP. As previously reported by How Africa, the Phoenix Mercury star was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on February 17, 2022, for allegedly holding vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She claimed it was used to treat a medical problem. She was eventually condemned to nine years in a Russian correctional colony.
“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” Griner revealed in the interview that was aired on Wednesday. “I felt like leaving here so badly.”
The 33-year-old eventually changed her mind, citing concerns that Russian officials could refuse to return her body to her family. Griner was released in December 2022 as part of a one-for-one swap with worldwide arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to US officials.
But before her release, Griner revealed she was made to write Russian President Vladimir Putin an apology and gratitude letter. “They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she recalled.
“I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home.”
Following her release, a senior US official informed NBC News that the Biden administration wanted both Griner and her compatriot Paul Whelan released in the prisoner swap deal with Moscow.
Griner expressed disappointment that this was not the case when she boarded the plane following her release. Whelan, a businessman and former marine, has been held in Russia since 2018 for espionage charges.
“I walked on and didn’t see him, maybe he’s next. Maybe they will bring him next,” she said, per The Associated Press. “They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You’re not going to let this man come home now.”
Griner granted the interview ahead of the May 7 release of her Coming Home memoir.