American basketball player Britney Greiner, who is being held in Russia, has sent a letter to the White House asking for help from US President Joe Biden, US media reported on Monday.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family and friends, I am terrified that I will be here forever,” Greiner wrote on the occasion of US National Day. Since then, the White House has acknowledged receipt of the letter.
The trial of the 31-year-old Griner began last Friday. In a statement issued by Russian customs, she said she was arrested on February 17 at an airport near the capital, Moscow, for possession of “e-cigarette packages that smelled of cannabis oil.” She faces a 10-year prison sentence for this. The trial threatens to continue until the end of this year, and Greiner will remain behind bars for at least its duration.
Her arrest was not announced until March 5, fifteen days after her arrest. Meanwhile, Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, causing an international crisis and imposing US sanctions on Moscow. Washington fears that the basketball star will be used as leverage in the conflict with Russia, and has already warned that Americans in Russia risk being arbitrarily arrested.
Britney Greiner is a two-time Olympic champion and a star in her country. She was in Russia a teammate of the Belgian cat Emma Messmann in Yekaterinburg. As a sign of support, the WNBA is putting its jersey number and initials on all courts this season. Domestically, Griner plays with Phoenix Mercury.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family and friends, I am terrified that I will be here forever,” Greiner wrote on the occasion of US National Day. Since then, the White House has acknowledged receipt of the letter. The trial of the 31-year-old Griner began last Friday. In a statement issued by Russian customs, she said she was arrested on February 17 at an airport near the capital, Moscow, for possession of “e-cigarette packages that smelled of cannabis oil.” Therefore, she faces a prison sentence of ten years. The trial threatens to continue until the end of this year, and Greiner will remain behind bars for at least its duration. Her arrest was not announced until March 5, fifteen days after her arrest. Meanwhile, Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, causing an international crisis and imposing US sanctions on Moscow. Washington fears that the basketball star will be used as leverage in the conflict with Russia, and has already warned that Americans in Russia risk being arbitrarily arrested. Britney Greiner is a two-time Olympic champion and a star in her country. She was in Russia a teammate of the Belgian cat Emma Messmann in Yekaterinburg. As a sign of support, the WNBA is putting its jersey number and initials on all courts this season. Domestically, Griner plays with Phoenix Mercury.
