In a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden, WNBA superstar Brittney Griner asked the president not to forget about her and the other Americans being detained in Russia.
Excerpts from the letter addressed to Biden released on Monday reveal that Griner is “terrified” she will never be freed from Russian custody. The letter was given to the White House through the Phoenix Mercury player’s representatives. Griner has been in Russian custody since Feb. 17 and is facing up to 10 years in prison on drug charges. It is unclear if Biden has read the letter.
“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 said in the letter, parts of which were released to the media by Griner’s representatives.
“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home,” Griner asks the president in the letter.
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In another excerpt from her letter, Griner laments missing July Fourth festivities with her family.
“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,” the Phoenix Mercury center said. “It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
The letter was delivered to the White House on Monday, according to Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas. Most of what the WNBA player wrote in the note to the president remains private.
Griner, who was arrested at a Moscow airport after allegedly having cannabis oil vaping cartridges in her luggage, went on trial Friday. The two-time Olympic gold medalist had been traveling to Russia to play for her Russian women’s basketball league team.
Griner goes on to tell the president in the letter that she voted for him in 2020 and implored him to help restore her freedom.
“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,” Griner said, adding, “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.”
The White House National Security Council confirmed to the Associated Press that the White House has received Griner’s letter and said it was working “aggressively” to bring her back to the United States.
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“We believe the Russian Federation is wrongfully detaining Brittney Griner,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Monday. “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner. The U.S. government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home.”
U.S. officials have dodged questions about whether the Biden administration would entertain a prisoner swap with Russia for Griner and the release of other Americans in Russian custody.
