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WNBA star Brittney Griner — who has been held in Russia since February — on Monday made a direct enchantment to President Joe Biden for his assist to launch her and different People detained whereas overseas in a handwritten letter delivered to the White Home.Griner’s representatives launched excerpts of the letter, wherein the skilled basketball participant mentioned she was “terrified” she may by no means depart Russia.”As I sit right here in a Russian jail, alone with my ideas and with out the safety of my spouse, household, associates, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I am terrified I could be right here endlessly,” the Phoenix Mercury participant wrote.”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 Struggle Veteran. It hurts excited about how I normally have fun at the present time as a result of freedom means one thing utterly totally different to me this yr,” she added.
Griner, 31, has been held in Russia since mid-February, when officers alleged that they’d found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her baggage whereas she was touring by Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport.She was within the nation to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian skilled ladies’s staff the place she spends the WNBA offseason.Simply days after Griner’s arrest, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, which has cratered diplomatic relations with the US and different western nations, with Biden and different world leaders enacting a raft a sanctions in opposition to Moscow.Griner’s trial started on Friday. She faces as much as ten years in jail.
In her letter, the participant informed Biden that she voted for him within the 2020 presidential election and requested that he additionally work to assist free different people detained in international nations.”I notice you might be coping with a lot, however please do not forget about me and the opposite American detainees. Please do all you may to deliver us dwelling. I voted for the primary time in 2020 and I voted for you. I imagine in you. I nonetheless have a lot good to do with my freedom which you can assist restore,” she wrote. “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,” she added.Final week, Griner’s spouse, Cherelle Griner, informed CNN that the basketball participant has been pressured right into a small cage for hours on finish every time she has to make an look in court docket.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned late final month that Griner was not being held “hostage,” however supplied no timeline on her potential launch.”She violated Russian regulation, and now she’s being prosecuted,” he informed NBC Information. “It isn’t about being a hostage. There are many Americans right here. They’re having fun with their freedoms … however you need to obey the legal guidelines.”Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the Nationwide Safety Council, on Monday mentioned in a press release that the federal government was working to safe Griner’s freedom.
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