Joe Biden receives handwritten letter from Brittney Griner on July 4th – here’s what he says
Through
Brittney Griner wrote a letter to President Biden that was delivered to the White House on July 4th. The WNBA superstar told the President that she fears being held indefinitely in Russia and asked him not to forget her and other Americans detained in Russian.
Griner faces a 10-year sentence in a Russian penal colony if she was convicted of the alleged crime of having cannabis oil in her suitcase when she was arrested in Moscow on February 17, a week before Russia invaded Ukraine.
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Three excerpts of Griner’s letter to Biden have been released while the rest is being kept secret, according to a statement released by a communications company representing the Griner family and reported by CNN.
“[As]sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, the Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I fear that I may be here forever,” Griner wrote.
“On July 4th, our family typically honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father, who is a Vietnam War veteran. It hurts to think how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something very different to me this year.
“I realize that you are involved in so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American prisoners. Please do everything you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore it. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for anything you can do at this moment to bring me home.”
Griner has played basketball in Russia during the WNBA off-season for seven years and is well-loved in the country.
Political pawn?
Terri Jackson, executive director of the union that represents WNBA players, hinted to NPR a few days ago that Russia is engaging in politics with Griner.
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“They know who they have. She is also a hero in her country. I mean, they love women’s basketball,” Jackson said. “They take their championships very seriously. And let’s be clear: she’s given them more than a few.”
Griner’s trial began last Friday and will resume on July 7th.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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