Trevor Reed, a former United States Marine who spent years in a Russian prison, reportedly said he could threaten basketball player Brittney Griner if she were assigned to corrective labor.
“Whatever you think about the Brittney Griner case, the decision appears political. This cannot be denied. If she chooses not to appeal, a transfer to a forced labor camp could be possible. Anyone ending up in a Russian forced labor facility faces serious health risks due to malnutrition, illness, and limited access to medical care,” the remark was reported by CNN.
It is noted that on March 5, Griner was detained after arriving at a customs checkpoint, when a service dog reacted to her belongings, which contained hash oil, a substance prohibited in Russia.
In this matter, two criminal charges were brought forward: smuggling and possession of drugs. On August 4, the Khimki Court of the Moscow Region found Griner guilty of drug trafficking and possession and sentenced her to nine years in prison along with a fine of one million rubles.
Earlier, the WNBA and NBA released a joint statement regarding Griner’s nine-year sentence, highlighting ongoing international concerns and calls for consideration of her safety and well-being while in custody.