Basketball star Brittney Griner has been moved to a penal colony in Russia’s Mordovia region, according to a report from Reuters.
Griner’s penal colony, known as Female Penal Colony IK-2, is located about 300 miles southeast of Moscow in Yavas, Russia, per Reuters. A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters the agency is “aware of reports of her location, and in frequent contact with [Griner’s] legal team.”
When reached by Sports Illustrated for comment, Griner’s legal team confirmed that she has begun serving her sentence in Mordovia.
“First, on behalf of Brittney, we would like to thank everyone who has expressed care for her,” a member of her legal team told Sports Illustrated. “During the last few days, we’ve received numerous messages of support. We can confirm that Brittney began serving her sentence at IK-2 in Mordovia. 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. Considering that this is a very challenging period for her, there will be no further comments from us.”
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Colas, also released a statement to Sports Illustrated.
“I can confirm that our Russian legal team has seen Brittney at penal colony IK-2 in Mordovia. 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. At this time, we will not be sharing any further details, but want to express our deepest thanks to the Biden Administration, the Richardson Center, and to everyone who has reached out to offer words of encouragement to her.”
Penal colonies in Russia are where convicted felons are required to work long hours for little pay while performing menial tasks. The conditions are often poor and are described as harsh and unhygienic.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony by a Russian court in August after she was found guilty on drug charges stemming from a February arrest at an airport near Moscow. The arrest was made after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil allegedly were found in her luggage.
The United States and Russia have reportedly discussed a prisoner swap where the Americans would receive Griner and former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, who was convicted of espionage in a Russian court and sentenced to 16 years in a penal colony. Like Griner, Whelan is serving his sentence in the Mordovia region.
The prisoner swap would require the U.S. to send Russia back convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. While discussions have been held between the U.S. and Russia, there is no indication that a deal is close to materializing.
