WNBA star Brittney Griner is said to be going through hell in prison, after moving to a facility in Russia.
According to The Nation, the prisoners in Mordovia are barely treated like humans, as there is extreme homophobia, racism and even gruelling work days that last 16 hours. Griner was moved to Mordovia earlier this month after an appeal of her sentence was denied in October.
Griner has been detained in Russia since February after she was accused of bringing cannabis oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport. United States officials are actively trying to get her out of the country, but for now she remains in conditions described as 'torture'.
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Musician Nadya Tolokonnikova gave an account of Mordovia after she spent two years there. The founder of the feminist group Pussy Riot was arrested in 2012, and she described the place as hell, where "beatings and torture" were common and expected.
It's been a tough year for Griner, who was sentenced to nine years back in August - following her arrest. But her camp have insisted that she is staying 'as strong as possible' for now, as they anxiously wait to see if US officials can save her.
Those representing Griner said in a statement: "Brittney is doing as well as could be expected. 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."