Brittney Griner to write memoir about imprisonment in Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner, whom Russian authorities detained on charges of drug smuggling, intends to write a memoir about her time as a prisoner in the country.

American authorities secured her release in a December 2022 prisoner exchange in which the U.S. traded convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for her freedom. Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, 2022, one week prior to the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession and drug smuggling and received a nine-year prison sentence. She had brought a vape to the country that contained hash oil.

Her untitled memoir is set for release next year, The Hill reported.

"That day was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share," she said of her arrest. "Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world."

"By writing this book, I also hope to raise awareness surrounding other Americans wrongfully detained abroad," she added.

While Griner is now free, Russia holds other American individuals in custody, including ex-Marine Paul Whelan, whose continued incarceration has prompted criticism of the Bout-Griner trade. Whelan has been in custody since 2018 for espionage and has received a 16-year sentence.

Earlier this week, the State Department determined that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, whom Russian authorities have also detained on suspicion of spying, has been "wrongfully detained."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.