Griner appeals directly to Biden in Russian drug case

Jailed basketball star Brittney Griner has told US President Joe Biden that she fears being indefinitely behind bars in Russia and asked him not to forget her and other American inmates.

Griner was arrested at an airport near Moscow on February 17 after vape cartridges containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.

Griner could face up to 10 years in prison and be tried on Friday in the Khimki City Court, just outside Moscow, for drug smuggling.

In her letter to Biden, which was delivered to the White House Monday, Griner urged: “Please do whatever you can to bring us home.”

She also revealed that she had voted for the first time in 2020 and supported Biden in his fight with Donald Trump.

“[As]sitting here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, the Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I am afraid that I might be here forever.” She also confessed in the document, several excerpts of which were released to the American media.

Additionally, Griner also mentioned her father, a Vietnam War veteran, noting that her family usually honors soldiers on the Fourth of July.

“It hurts to think how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something very different to me this year,” She said.

On the same day the correspondence was received, the White House reiterated its claims that it was Russia “wrongly imprisoned” the 31-year-old.

“The US government continues to work aggressively — by any means available — to bring them home,” read an expression by National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, who also said Biden’s team is in regular contact with Griner’s family.

Griner’s wife Cherelle has insisted she wants US authorities to do more to secure her partner’s release and has expressed doubts about their efforts so far.

Griner’s trial has been adjourned to July 7, with the Kremlin reaffirming its stance on her situation.

In comments forwarded by RIARussian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted claims that Griner’s detention was politically motivated.

“I cannot comment on the actions of the Russian court, I do not have the right to do so,” said Peskov.

“We never do that. I can only operate with facts. The facts are that this outstanding athlete was arrested with illegal drugs containing narcotics.

“Russian legislation has such (laws) that provide for punishments for such crimes, but again this is just a statement.

“That put her in jail and that’s in our legislation.”

Griner is a two-time Olympic champion and eight-time WNBA All-Star in her home country. She had traveled to Russia during the WNBA offseason to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, which she has done in recent years.

Lawyers for Griner have said the basketball star has no grievances about her prison conditions as her trial proceeds.