Brittney Griner Shares Reflections on Her Journey to Freedom from Russia in ’20/20′ Special

WNBA star Brittney Griner recently shared her reflections on her journey to freedom from Russia in a special edition of “20/20.” Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star, was detained in Russia in February 2022 after being accused of having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in the country. She was detained just one week before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, raising concerns about the safety of Americans in Russian detention.

Griner spoke about the moment she learned the U.S. had secured her release from Russian detention. She expressed her gratitude for the note she received, which stated she was going to be released. “I saw that paper and I was so thrilled,” Griner said. The U.S. State Department classified her case as “wrongfully detained” in May 2022, and the Biden administration worked for months to secure her freedom.

Griner pleaded guilty to the drug charges in July 2022, stating that the vape cartridges were in her luggage unintentionally. She testified that she had “no intention” of breaking Russian law and packed the cartridges by accident. After mounting pressure on the U.S. to secure her release, Griner was finally released on December 8, 2022, following a trade with convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The trade, which involved exchanging Griner for Bout, sparked controversy as some Americans believed it wasn’t a fair trade. Griner addressed these concerns and expressed her support for bringing home all Americans wrongfully detained abroad. She mentioned the case of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine charged with espionage in Russia since December 2018, and expressed her disappointment that he wasn’t on the plane back to the U.S. with her.

Since her release, Griner has become an outspoken advocate for Americans wrongfully detained abroad. She has vowed to use her platform to help bring home others, including Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia in March 2023 and charged with espionage. The U.S. government has designated both Whelan and Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained,” allowing for additional resources to be applied to their cases.

Griner’s journey to freedom from Russia is detailed in her upcoming memoir, “Coming Home,” set to be released on May 7. In the book, she reflects on her experience and expresses her commitment to helping others in similar situations. Griner’s full exclusive interview will air on May 1 in a special edition of “20/20.”

Brittney Griner’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Americans wrongfully detained abroad and the importance of advocating for their release. Her determination to use her platform to help bring home others highlights the need for continued efforts in this area. As she stated, “Every family deserves to be whole.”