Brittney Griner anticipated being used as ‘Putin’s pawn’ in Russia

WNBA player Brittney Griner reflected on her time in a Russian prison while being held hostage in the country, noting how she knew Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to make the most of her hostage situation.

Griner was held in Russia from February 2022 through December 2022 for having cannabis oil in her baggage at an airport in Moscow. The basketball player was asked about a chapter titled “Putin’s Pawn” in her new book, Coming Home, and if she knew that the Kremlin would attempt to use her to its advantage.

“Oh yes, 100%,” Griner told MSNBC’s Joy Reid. “I mean, the few times that I would get the guards to say something to me when I’m like, ‘Where am I going? Am I the only one in the cell?’ I knew that the American basketball player had to be by themselves.”

Griner explained that prisoners are typically kept together in a holding cell instead of a prisoner getting a cell to him or herself. The WNBA player also noted how many high-profile people at the prison were “always there” and that she knew she was getting “special treatment” compared to the other prisoners.

In a previous interview, Griner reflected on her feelings while being held hostage in Russia and how she felt immense fear due to the unknown details of her hostage situation. Griner was facing up to nine years in prison for being found carrying cannabis at the airport.

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Griner was released by Russia in December 2022 when a prisoner swap between the country and the United States was organized. In exchange for Griner, the Biden administration released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Griner’s book detailing her time as a Russian hostage was released on Tuesday.