Brittney Griner pens appeal to President Biden, pleads for her freedom on Independence Day
The Fourth of July is a day to honor America and those who have fought for the freedom of each and every United States citizen. To Brittany Griner, Independence Day has been given a completely new meaning to the former Baylor and current WNBA star who is currently detained in Russia.
With that in mind, she sent a letter to the White House for President Joe Biden asking him to help return her and the rest of the American detainees back home to their families safely and swiftly.
“… 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,” Griner’s statement to President Biden read. “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.
“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.”
Brittney Griner trial underway in Russian court, per her lawyer
A court in Russia has scheduled the trial for WNBA player Brittney Griner to begin Friday, according to a report from CNN. Griner’s lawyer also confirmed that her detention is set to be extended for six months pending the outcome of the trial.
Griner, who plays basketball in Russia during the WNBA’s offseason, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport on allegations of attempted drug smuggling. Russian authorities claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage and accused her of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The former Baylor star attended a preliminary hearing Monday, arriving handcuffed and surrounded by guards in black vests. The hearing took place at Khimki court, just outside Moscow.
The news comes after ESPN’s T.J. Quinn reported two weeks ago that Griner’s detention had been extended yet again. Quinn noted at the time that Griner was being held 117 days after her arrest, and the United States will continue to negotiate her release until she is able to be brought home.
Griner’s detention has been repeatedly extended, and many believe that Russia is using her as a political pawn after its invasion of Ukraine. With Griner now being brought to trial, things are beginning to escalate even more as she now faces possible conviction.
“The U.S. doesn’t consider this to be a legitimate legal process, but expects Russia to act as though it is,” Quinn said. “U.S. officials see it as a negotiation tactic. It’s almost certain that BG’s detention will be extended again and again until a deal is reached to bring her home. As experts have said, it’s theater, not jurisprudence.
“Such moves are also typically done to keep the story in the news and increase pressure against the U.S. government to make a deal that Russia likes. …At some point BG may well be charged, brought to trial and convicted. As Americans Trevor Reed and Paul Whelan were. Whatever happens, though, U.S. officials and former UN ambassador Bill Richardson will continue to negotiate her release.”