Jailed WNBA star Griner appeals to Biden: ‘Get me home’

Basketball star Brittney Griner calls on US president to do all he can to safe her launch from Russian jail.

US basketball star Brittney Griner has appealed to President Joe Biden to do all he can to safe her launch from jail in Russia, saying in a letter that she is “terrified” she would possibly stay imprisoned without end.

Representatives for Griner, a Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (WNBA) all-star and two-time Olympic gold medallist, launched excerpts of the letter on Monday, the identical day her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas mentioned it was delivered to the White Home.

“As I sit right here in a Russian jail, alone with my ideas and with out the safety of my spouse, household, buddies, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I could be right here without end,” Griner mentioned within the hand-written notice.

“On the 4th of July, our household usually honors the service of those that fought for our freedom, together with my father who’s a Vietnam Conflict Veteran,” she added, referring to Independence Day in america.

“It hurts occupied with how I normally have a good time today as a result of freedom means one thing fully completely different to me this 12 months.”

Griner was arrested on the airport within the Russian capital in mid-February on fees of carrying vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in her baggage.

Her incarceration got here at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the US over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Biden administration has mentioned she is being “wrongfully detained”.

Griner’s trial started in Moscow on July 1. Two witnesses have been questioned by the prosecution: an airport customs official, who spoke in open court docket, and an unidentified witness in a closed session, in keeping with the state information company RIA-Novosti.

The trial was then adjourned, it mentioned, when two different witnesses didn’t present up, and the following session was set for July 7.

US Cost d’Affaires Elizabeth Rood informed reporters on the trial that Griner informed her she was “holding the religion” and that she was doing “in addition to might be anticipated”.

The Biden administration has beforehand mentioned it’s working to carry Griner and one other American, Michigan company safety government Paul Whelan, dwelling from Russia, and that their instances stay priorities.

In Monday’s letter, Griner urged Biden to make use of his powers to make sure her return.

“Please do all you possibly can to carry us dwelling. I voted for the primary time in 2020 and I voted for you. I consider in you. I nonetheless have a lot good to do with my freedom you can assist restore,” she mentioned.

“I miss my spouse! I miss my household! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they’re struggling a lot proper now. I’m grateful for no matter you are able to do at this second to get me dwelling.”

Griner’s imprisonment has drawn requires motion from high US athletes, together with her WNBA teammates, who met with US State Division officers in mid-June to push for her launch.

“We’re right here to do no matter we are able to to amplify and hold BG on the forefront, which is extra essential than any basketball recreation and anything that’s happening in our lives,” Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi mentioned in a press release launched by the staff at the moment.

The WNBA Gamers Affiliation additionally referred to as for motion on Monday, saying on Twitter: “It’s fairly robust having fun with a day meant to have a good time independence when one in every of our personal residents, Brittney Griner, is STILL wrongfully detained in Russia.”