U.S. News
Brittney Griner sends Biden a letter pleading for her release from Russia
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- WNBA star Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden asking for her release from Russia.
- Her agency, Wasserman, released excerpts from the letter to the public.
- Griner, who mentioned in the letter that she voted for Biden in 2020, asked the president not to forget about her and other Americans detained overseas.
WNBA star Brittney Griner penned a letter to President Joe Biden, asking to help her be freed from a Russian prison. Griner has been held in Russia since February over allegations that vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage.
In a letter delivered to the White House on Monday, Griner asked the president not to forget about her and other Americans detained overseas.
“…[A]s 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 wrote.
Wasserman, a talent agency that includes Griner’s management team, shared the excerpts of the letter to the public.
Griner, whose trial began on Friday, told Biden she voted for him in 2020. She also said she missed her family and teammates.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
Griner’s team, the Phoenix Mercury, and her wife have called on the Biden administration to push more to get her out of Russia.
In May, the State Department said Griner was “wrongfully detained by the Russian government.”
The change in official classification means the U.S. will be more aggressive in its efforts to secure her release, according to ESPN.
Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in a statement on Monday that “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all U.S. nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner.”
Watson added that Biden’s team, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, “is in regular contact with Brittney’s family” and her wife, Cherelle Griner.
Griner’s arrest came amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has affected relations between Moscow and much of the world.
Source: AOL
Roland
July 6, 2022 at 6:52 am
Did she have the drugs or not? If so the old saying goes something like ” if you can’t do the time don’t do the crime.
Bob
July 6, 2022 at 9:23 am
She knew that the drugs found in her luggage was illegal in Russia yet she thought that she could just go and nothing would happen since she is an “athlete”. What is legal in America may NOT be legal in other countries and they don’t care how popular or important you are. As someone else has already said; “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.” All the US government can and should do is ensure that her trial is conducted lawfully according to RUSSIAN LAWS not American laws.
jim w
July 7, 2022 at 7:32 pm
she pleaded guilty to possession and drug smuggling into that country – she broke international law by transporting illegal substance – a control substance by the USA felony as a Class A drug- she is lucky its not a country under sharia law – they would execute her for drug possession – Philippine nation puts to death drug dealer – a lot of countries do – drug possession and smuggling which she did brings a term of life in the system or death
Michael Valgos
July 6, 2022 at 7:02 am
I feel bad for her but I also understand that she is an idiot Why would you bring things like that with you There are how many thousands of our people in Afghanistan that were left behind They didn’t do anything wrong except to serve our country and they were left like orphans So Biden has to do something about these people before anyone else
MikefromTexas
July 6, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Stupid woman should not go to countries that hate us. Actually no one should.
Leslie
July 6, 2022 at 7:29 pm
WTF? Sorry but I need someone to show me that’s a WOMAN! Because damn it all, it sure as hell doesn’t look like a WOMAN!
Then he/ she shouldn’t have voted for Braindead, shouldn’t have shown contempt for our Republic, shouldn’t have broken laws in another country that shows he/she feels entitled cause of celebrity status (BFD) (don’t care).
You “do crime/do time” stop your whining, take responsibility for your actions!
The disrespect shown to our flag and National Anthem say’s you’re better off where you are! Learn what freedom means!
jim w
July 7, 2022 at 7:38 pm
wrong the people of russia do not hate the USA – its what putin is doing and pudding head biden reaction to what’s happening – biden will be short lived in the white house – biden is not a problem solver whatsoever- he is a problem maker and yes he is making the problem worse than what it should be – she broke the law of that nation and now she will pay the penalty –
Everett
July 6, 2022 at 12:59 pm
I agree with all above. Can’t do the time, don’t do the crime!! You really think Brandon is going to come to your rescue?? Look at all the hundreds of Americans he left behind (and ignored) in Afghanistan, not to mention all the taxpayer $billions$ in high-tech military equipment……..good luck!!
Beetle
July 6, 2022 at 1:05 pm
I don’t feel sorry for her. Take a knee during the national anthem, spit in americas face, then expect them to bend over backwards when you screw up? All I have to say is karma is a bitch. Better learn to speak Russian.
Darla R. Lennox
July 7, 2022 at 12:47 pm
I totally agree with you. In 2020 she called for WNBA to stop playing the national anthem before the games. I don’t think she belongs in America because she obviously does not love our country. Let her stay in Russia and do her time and when she’s release and if she comes back her, maybe she will have a better respect for what we have in America.
CharlieSeattle
July 6, 2022 at 3:58 pm
She will be traded for a Russian Spy at a later date, as usual.