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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
The Russian feminist protest and performance art group, Pussy Riot, has openly supported the release of WNBA star, Brittney Griner recently. Formed in 2011, the protest group has been raising its voices against the autocratic practices of the Russian government over the years. As a result, some of the Pussy Riot’s members had to spend time in Russian penal colonies for speaking out against the government. Recently, an ex-inmate from the protest group, Nadya Tolokonnikova, gave some insight into the horrors Griner could face in the penal colonies. She also warned BG about the forced labor camps, where the inmates have to work for about 16 hours a day.
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Brittney Griner is languishing in exile in Russia for more than eight months. A Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison under drug possession and smuggling charges. After her recent appeal was denied, BG is now being transferred to an undisclosed penal colony somewhere in Siberia or the far east of Russia.
During a recent interview with CNN, Tolokonnikova shared her concerns about Griner’s imprisonment. She reckoned that it could be an extremely taxing experience for BG due to a lack of knowledge of the language and laws of Russia.?
Tolokonnikova warns Brittney Griner about death in forced labor camps
Nadya Tolokonnikova stated that the worst thing an inmate experiences in a penal colony was witnessing deaths. Tolokonnikova made a huge revelation about the conditions Brittney Griner might face. She suggested that Griner might be forced to work up to 16-17 hours a day in labor camps sewing uniforms for the Russian police.
READ MORE: ?From the Soviet Union?: Brittney Griner Gets a Stern Warning About an Unseen Side of Russia
During the interview, Nadya Tolokonnikova revealed,?“The worst thing in penal colony is witnessing deaths of others around you.”
“People die from hard physical labor and inability to access medical treatment that they need. But you are just another prisoner and you can’t do anything about it,” she added.
"WAKE UP, WHORES"
Describing to @CNN what US basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been sentenced to nine years in Russian labor camp, should expect, and sharing the harsh conditions of colony life.https://t.co/LlFUxIyGdi pic.twitter.com/3NmlG7m3OZ
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙💦 (@pussyrrriot) November 14, 2022
The 33-year-old laid out that the harsh labor conditions and lack of proper medical facilities were the reasons behind the death of many inmates. Speaking from experience, Tolokonnikova said that Griner might have to bear witness to such cruelties. In addition, BG might also feel that the same things could happen to her any day.?
The Pussy Riot member gave some terrifying insight into the conditions the WNBA player would have to deal with inside the prison. She also talked about the psychological torture that inmates face inside Russian prisons.?
WATCH THIS STORY:?White House expresses stern disapproval of Dennis Rodman after he disclosed Brittney Griner rescue plans from Russia
Hence, Tolokonnikova seemed highly concerned about Griner and hoped she would find freedom soon.
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Edited by
Satagni Sikder