Brittney Griner Pens Open Letter Pleading For President Biden To Help Free Her From Russian Detainment: I’m Terrified I Might Be Here Forever

Brittney Griner Pens Open Letter Pleading For President Biden To Help Free Her From Russian Detainment: I’m Terrified I Might Be Here Forever

Brittney Griner is speaking for herself for the first time since being wrongfully detained in Russia. 

According to reports, excerpts of a letter sent to the White House this week on behalf of Brittney Griner were published Sunday (July 3), through reps for the Phoenix Mercury player. The emotional letter consists of bullet point thoughts from Brittney Griner, as she faces years behind bars for allegedly bringing illegal cartridges into the country.

Brittney Griner

As previously reported, Brittney Griner was wrongfully detained in Russia back in February after Russian authorities claim they found vape cartridges while searching her luggage at a Moscow airport. Reportedly, the cartridges contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Brittney was recently given a pre-trial detention extension for the fourth time by six months. Her trial reportedly started on July 1. 

Brittney Griner

In the letter, Brittney makes her case for President Joe Biden to finally intervene and help bring her home. In part, she writes, 

“… as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

She adds,

“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”

She continues, 

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all 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. 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 whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”

NEW: A letter from Brittney Griner was sent to the White House today, making a direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom. Representatives shared the following excerpts: pic.twitter.com/pvh4IpOfou

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 4, 2022

Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, shared in an interview earlier this year that she doesn’t think the American government is doing enough to bring the star athlete home. She said, 

“I just keep hearing that, you know, [Biden] has the power. She’s a political pawn. So if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”

She continued,

“I don’t know [if I feel that she’s top priority]. I was grateful for the call [from Senator Blinken]. But you say she’s top priority… I want to see it. And I feel like to see it would be me seeing [Brittney] on US soil.”

"Every single day matters … to make sure that she comes back."

Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who has been detained in a Russian prison for nearly 100 days, speaks to @robinroberts about the fight to bring her home. https://t.co/A7bpCs5jQp pic.twitter.com/Yv8GFk5hfW

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 25, 2022

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