Brittney Griner Writes Letter to President Biden: ‘I’m Terrified I Might Be Here Forever’
Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden on Monday pleading for the POTUS to not forget about her and the other American detainees in Russia.
“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, who’s been detained in Russia since February for possession of cannabis oil, wrote in an excerpt from the letter shared with the media.
“I realize you are dealing with so much,” she wrote. “But please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”
Griner wrote that freedom means “something completely different this year,” as she was forced to spend the Fourth of July in custody. Griner’s trial began last week, and a Russian judge ordered her to remain in custody throughout the trial.
A White House spokesperson did not confirm or deny that Biden had received the letter but provided the New York Times with a statement from National Security Council spokeswoman Adriene Watson.
“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,” Watson said in a statement to the Times.
She went on to say that Biden’s team is in “regular contact” with Griner’s family.
But Griner’s wife Cherelle appeared on “CBS This Morning” on Tuesday, claiming the family has not yet received a reply from Biden. She called the lack of communication “very disheartening.”
“It kills me every time that you know when I have to write her, and she’s asking, ‘Have you met with them yet?’ And I have to say no — I’m sure she is like, ‘I’m going to write him and ask now because my family has tried to no avail, so I’m going to do it myself,'” Cherelle said.
Brittney’s trial began on Friday, and the eight-time All-Star faces up to 10 years in a penal colony if she is convicted.
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