Basketball player Brittney Griner has been in prison in Russia for months. A dramatic letter to the US President shows how she is doing.
US basketball player Brittney Griner, who has been in prison in Russia since February on charges of drug smuggling (read more here), has asked US President Joe Biden to campaign for her release. Griner is sitting alone in a Russian prison and is “very afraid that I could be here forever,” says the handwritten letter to Biden, excerpts of which were published by Griner’s family on Monday.
“I’m aware that you have so much to do, but please don’t forget me and the other American prisoners,” writes the two-time Olympic champion. “Please do whatever you can to bring us home.”
“Grateful for Whatever You Can Do”
“I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates!” the 31-year-old athlete continues. “It is killing me to know that they are suffering so much now. I am grateful for whatever you can do to bring me back home.” The letter was delivered to the White House on Independence Day Monday.
The trial against Griner began last Friday. The star player of the US professional league WNBA, who also played in Russia, was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in mid-February. According to authorities, officers found cartridges for e-cigarettes with cannabis oil in Griner’s luggage. The amount was less than a gram of solid cannabis, prosecutors said.
Arrest came amid political tensions
Drug smuggling in Russia carries a prison sentence of up to ten years. The next hearing in the trial is scheduled for Thursday.