Brittney Griner sent a letter to the White House pleading for help from the Biden administration.
“I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote in the letter that was verified by her spokesperson.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote to Joe Biden. “On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
She continued:
“Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.
“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other detainees.”
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, confirmed the letter was delivered to the President on Monday, July 4.
The majority of the letter was not released publicly, but Colas shared snippets with news reporters.
Griner reportedly mentions that her lesbian status and language barrier makes her life difficult in jail.
The WNBA All-star has been detained since February when she was arrested at a Moscow airport for allegedly carrying vape pens filled with cannabis oil in her luggage.
Griner’s trial began on Friday, July 1st. She wore her favorite Jimi Hendrix t-shirt into court. Her trial will resume this week.
Griner faces 10 years in prison if convicted.
