(CNN)WNBA star Brittney Griner begged President Joe Biden in a handwritten letter that she and other American detainees shouldn't be forgotten about, expressing her worry that she will be held indefinitely in Russia.
According to a statement made public by the communications firm defending the Griner family, she said, "(As) I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the safety of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm frightened I might stay here forever."A week before Russia invaded Ukraine, Griner, 31, who had been playing in Russia during the WNBA's winter, was detained on February 17 at a Moscow airport. She was suspected of smuggling considerable amounts of a narcotic drug, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, by Russian officials who said she had cannabis oil in her luggage. She was put on trial for narcotics smuggling on Friday in a courthouse close to Moscow.
In light of growing concerns that Griner is being exploited as a political pawn amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia, Griner's supporters and US officials claim that she was illegally kidnapped and have urged for her release.
According to a statement from the communications firm, Griner's letter to Biden was sent to the White House on Monday morning. According to the statement, only three passages from the letter have been made public.
"Our family typically remembers the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom on July 4th, especially my father, a Vietnam War veteran. Because freedom means something entirely different to me this year than it did last year, it hurts to think about how I used to celebrate this day "Griner sent Biden a letter."I know you have a lot on your plate, but I beg you to keep myself and the other American detainees in mind. Please use all of your might to get us home. In 2020, I cast my first ballot, and I chose to support you. I have faith in you. You can still help me regain my freedom since I still have a lot of good to do. I long for my wife! I long for my family! My teammates are missed! Knowing that they are currently going through such pain hurts me. I appreciate anything you can do right now to get me home."
On Monday, the White House stated once more that "Brittney Griner is being unfairly detained by the Russian Federation."
"President Biden has made it clear that Brittney Griner and all other Americans being held captive or unjustly incarcerated abroad must be freed. Using all available measures, the U.S. government is still working hard to bring her home "Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in a statement to CNN.
The White House is closely working with the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who has met with Brittney's family, her teammates, and her support network, Watson said, adding that "the President's team is in regular contact with Brittney's family and we will continue to work to support her family." National security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken "have spoken several times with Brittney's wife in recent weeks."
Cherelle Griner, Griner's wife, said to CNN last week that she wants US officials to take whatever steps are necessary to bring the basketball great home and that they should go further.Cherelle Griner sat in the Phoenix Mercury locker room and demanded more action in the one interview she gave on the eve of her wife's Russian trial.
"It's quite challenging. The rhetoric is not in line with the action in this case "She spoke. "It's sad that I have to push individuals to make sure that what they tell me and what they do match up, so finding a balance in that regard has proven to be the most difficult. After more than 130 days, BG has still not returned."
A bipartisan resolution requesting the WNBA star's immediate release from the Russian government was approved by the US House of Representatives last month.
Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona, who sponsored the measure, said in a statement, "Not a day goes by that we aren't thinking of Brittney and working to get her home." "We'll keep working to get her out and make sure she isn't forgotten,"
Griner represents the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA; Stanton formerly held the office of mayor of Phoenix.
Together with Democratic Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Colin Allred from Texas, Griner's home state, Stanton introduced the resolution in May.
"I appreciate Congress's resounding outpouring of support. We must do every effort to keep Brittney's situation in the spotlight and put an end to this horror "At the time, Cherelle Griner said in a statement.
Prior to her team's matchup against the Sparks on Monday, Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard addressed Griner's letter in a press conference in Los Angeles.
"Just hearing her speak about her father being a Vietnam War veteran, her newfound appreciation for freedom, her want to be with her family and teammates, and her uncertainty about when she will be free again made me cry. Hearing those words on our day of freedom from such a beloved person is wonderful, and it's great that she was able to get that message across to us. Hopefully some people are taking notice. Of course, it would be fantastic for us if the Biden administration and our State Department put that at the forefront of their messaging "stated Nygaard.
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