Brittney Griner has written to President Joe Biden with an urgent plea: “Please don’t forget about me.”
The WNBA star’s message was delivered via a handwritten letter from the Russian jail where she has been held since she was arrested in February at a Moscow airport on drug charges. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, my family, my friends, my Olympic jersey or any achievement, I am afraid to stay here forever,” Griner wrote.
Griner’s representatives shared sections of the letter with BuzzFeed News and other media outlets, but said the entire message would remain private between her and the president.
“On the Fourth of July, our family typically honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father, who is a Vietnam War veteran,” Griner wrote. “It pains me to think about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
Griner, 31, also told Biden that her first vote was for him in the 2020 presidential election.
“I realize you are dealing with a lot, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do everything you can to bring us home,” he said. “I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so many good things to do with my freedom that you can help restore.”
“I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates!” Griner said. “It kills me to know that they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for anything they can do right now to bring me home.”
Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in a statement provided to BuzzFeed News that the White House was working “aggressively” to bring Griner home.
“We believe the Russian Federation is unfairly detaining Brittney Griner,” Watson said. “President Biden has been clear about the need to see released all American citizens who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, including Brittney Griner. The United States government continues to work aggressively, using every means available, to bring her home.”
Watson also said top officials were in regular contact with Griner’s family and teammates.
But Griner’s wife, Cherelle, told CBS Tuesday morning that it was “very disheartening” that she had not yet heard from Biden about the letter.
Cherelle said they were disappointed they were not able to meet with Biden in person.
“It kills me every time… when I have to write to her and she asks me: ‘Have you met him yet?’ And I have to say: ‘No.’ … I’m sure she’ll say, ‘I’m going to write to him and ask him now, because my family has tried and to no avail.’ So I’m going to do it myself,'” Cherelle said.
