The story of Brittney Griner, one of the very best American basketball players of the moment, is now known. Griner was arrested by Russian police in early March after a bottle of cannabis oil was found in her luggage. Legal in the US, but illegal in Russia.
Griner has been held in a Russian cell ever since. The 31-year-old American is accused of drug smuggling and risks a prison sentence of 10 years. Since then, many colleagues have argued for Griner’s case, but the situation is deadlocked on a diplomatic level, not helped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Griner’s trial started last week, but today – not coincidentally on “Independence Day” – the American wrote an open letter to Joe Biden, begging the president for help.
–
“I’m sitting here in a Russian cell, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, without everything I’ve achieved. I’m afraid I’ll be here forever.”
“On July 4th, we normally celebrate in my family the people who fought for our freedom, including my father, a veteran of the Vietnam War. The thoughts of how we normally celebrate this day hurt, because freedom has this year took on a very different meaning for me.”
“I realize you have a lot on your mind, but please don’t forget about me and the other American prisoners. Please do whatever it takes to get us home.”
“I voted for you in 2020 for the first time. I believe in you. I can do so many good things with my freedom that can help you recover. I miss my wife, my family and my teammates. It means a lot to me It hurts that they have to suffer so much now. I am grateful for everything you can do to get me home again.”
–
