Brittney Griner Begins Sentence in Remote Russian Penal Colony – Brittney Griner has been taken to a remote Russian correctional colony to begin serving her sentence, according to her lawyers. “Brittney began serving her sentence at IK-2 in Mordovia,” lawyers Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov said in a statement. “We visited her early this week. Brittney is doing as well as could be expected and trying to stay strong as she adapts to a new environment.”
After being arrested at the Moscow airport in February for possessing vape cartridges containing a minor amount of cannabis oil, the US athlete was sentenced to nine years in prison in August. The 32-year-old’s case occurred during a period of heightened tension between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine. Griner’s agent, Lindsay Colas, said: “Despite the fact she is alone and now nearing her ninth month in detention separated from her loved ones, she is trying to stay strong.”
Colas also thanked the administration of President Joe Biden, which last week committed to secure Griner’s return. “I’m telling you I’m determined to get her home and get her home safely,” the US president said. The IK-2 penal colony is in the town of Yavas in the central region of Mordovia known for its harsh climate. The IK stands for a “corrective colony,” the most common type of prison in Russia. According to Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service, the IK-2 houses more than 800 inmates who live in barracks.
Mordovia is also home to the IK-17 colony, where Paul Whelan, a retired US Marine convicted of spying and sentenced to 16 years in 2020, is serving time. His family claims he has been mistreated and deprived of sleep there. Russian correctional colonies are notorious for their harsh treatment of convicts, unclean surroundings, and lack of medical care. Conditions in correctional colonies are significantly tougher than those in detention facilities.
According to activists, Russia’s huge jail system, a counterpart to Stalin’s renowned Gulag, is rife with abuse and torture. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and Women’s NBA champion was playing for the professional Yekaterinburg squad in Russia during her time off from the Phoenix Mercury when she was detained.
She pleaded guilty to the charges but stated that she had no intention of breaking the law or using the prohibited substance in Russia. Griner stated that she received clearance from a U.S. physician to use cannabis to alleviate the agony of her numerous injuries, and that she had never failed a drug test.
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