WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner has made a direct plea to President Joe Biden to stand up for her in a letter sent to the White House on Monday as she remains detained in Russia on drug charges.
Griner, who was held at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges, went on trial on Friday and could face up to 10 years in a Russian jail.
The case takes place against a backdrop of high tension between Moscow and Washington over the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. officials say Griner has been detained wrongfully.
“I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote in a letter, excerpts of which have been shared by her representatives.
“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.”
Griner, who competes in the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) but has also played regularly in Russia, was formally told at the first hearing that she was charged with intentionally importing narcotics into Russia.
The judge set the next hearing for July 7.
“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 added.
“I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore.
“I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Biden told Griner’s family in a call on Wednesday that he is working to secure the athlete’s release from Russia as soon as possible, describing her detention on drug charges as “intolerable.”
