“I’m terrified…I might be here forever” Brittney Griner sends heartfelt plea to Joe Biden for the first time amid Russia detainment
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Brittney Griner at the trail in Russia
The Griner family told reporters that a handwritten letter from Brittney Griner was brought to the White House on Monday morning. The imprisoned WNBA player begged the president in her letter not to forget her and expressed how this year’s Fourth of July had deepened her already deep admiration for it. The WNBA player wrote a letter to the President Joe Biden and the White House after being detained on accusations of carrying drugs in Russia on February 17.
Last week saw the start of Griner’s trial. In February, she was held at a Moscow airport after Russia allegedly discovered vape cartridges of cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner, a centre for the Phoenix Mercury who competed in Russian leagues during the WNBA offseason, was ordered by a Russian judge to remain in detention throughout the trial. She was there to represent UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian professional women’s team.
Brittney Griner’ humbled request to free her out of prison
Brittney Griner was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow five months ago on suspicion of carrying vape cartridges presumably containing hashish oil in her luggage. The basketball star made an appearance in court for the first hearing of her trial on July 2. She splits her off-seasons between playing for the Phoenix Mercury and a Russian basketball team. The WNBA has honoured Brittney since her arrest by adding floor decals with her initials and jersey number inside the arenas of all 12 WNBA teams.
Days after Griner’s detention, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, shattering diplomatic ties with the West and prompting Biden and other global leaders to impose a number of restrictions on Moscow. The two-time Olympic gold winner is currently in the middle of a trial in Russia that started last week and is likely to continue on Thursday. If convicted, she might spend up to 10 years in prison.
Griner made a personal plea to Mr. Biden to release all American hostages. The player informed Biden that she made her first-ever vote for him in the 2020 presidential election and urged him to work the release of other people who are being held in other nations. Despite the fact that some people want a prisoner exchange, Griner’s arrest and trial occur at a time when ties between the United States and Russia are at their lowest point due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Brittney Griner’s agent set her an email account via which she has been able to occasionally communicate with her family members, friends, and WNBA players. After being examined by Russian officials, the emails are printed out and sent to Griner in batches by her attorney. Any replies from Griner will be scanned once the attorneys return to their office and sent back to the U.S. for further processing. On their anniversary, she was supposed to contact her wife, but due to a “unfortunate misunderstanding,” Biden administration officials say that didn’t happen.
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Irvin Philip
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