Brittney Griner admits that she was suicidal in a Russian prison: «I felt less than human»
23 april 2024 в 18:30
Brittney Griner is preparing for her first sit-down interview since being released from a Russian prison in December 2022 with the program 20/20. In a preview, the 33-year-old star of the Women’s National Basketball Association admitted that she felt suicidal and struggled when she was sentenced to a penal colony as part of her sentence. Brittney teared up, recalling the feeling of the sentence and how she felt when going through it.
The interview with Robin Roberts covers the period from Brittney’s arrest in February 2022 to her sentencing, transfer to the penal colony, and finally returning home to the United States. Brittney admitted that when she was first arrested and sentenced, she was filled with fear. «My life is over here», - she said in a preview from People. «I was so scared of everything».
Brittney recalled some of the conditions she had to endure during her arrest. «There was a huge knife on the table, and I just thought, 'No, this is going to be hell.' You have to do whatever it takes to survive», - she said. «There was a huge bloodstain on the mattress. I had no soap, no toilet paper».
The WNBA player acknowledged that after experiencing the conditions in her cell, she simply felt like she was at her lowest point. «It was a moment when I felt less human», - she said. Robin asked Brittney if she felt suicidal, and she admitted that she did. «I didn’t think I could get through what I needed to get through», - she said.
The 20/20 interview will air on May 1 on ABC.
Brittney was released as part of a 1-for-1 prisoner exchange with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022. Upon her return, she signed with the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury. About a week after her return, Brittney shared an emotional message on social media. «So good to be home! The last 10 months have been a struggle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith, and it was the love from so many of you that helped me keep going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your support», - she wrote.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255)
The interview with Robin Roberts covers the period from Brittney’s arrest in February 2022 to her sentencing, transfer to the penal colony, and finally returning home to the United States. Brittney admitted that when she was first arrested and sentenced, she was filled with fear. «My life is over here», - she said in a preview from People. «I was so scared of everything».
Brittney recalled some of the conditions she had to endure during her arrest. «There was a huge knife on the table, and I just thought, 'No, this is going to be hell.' You have to do whatever it takes to survive», - she said. «There was a huge bloodstain on the mattress. I had no soap, no toilet paper».
The WNBA player acknowledged that after experiencing the conditions in her cell, she simply felt like she was at her lowest point. «It was a moment when I felt less human», - she said. Robin asked Brittney if she felt suicidal, and she admitted that she did. «I didn’t think I could get through what I needed to get through», - she said.
The 20/20 interview will air on May 1 on ABC.
Brittney was released as part of a 1-for-1 prisoner exchange with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8, 2022. Upon her return, she signed with the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury. About a week after her return, Brittney shared an emotional message on social media. «So good to be home! The last 10 months have been a struggle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith, and it was the love from so many of you that helped me keep going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your support», - she wrote.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1−800−273-TALK (8255)
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
