Brittney Griner faces drug smuggling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
(AP Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko)
US President Joe Biden has read a letter from WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for more than four months, according to the White House press secretary.
Key points:
US President Joe Biden has read a letter from WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for more than four months, according to the White House press secretary.
Key points:
The White House press secretary described Brittney Griner's letter as "deeply personal"
She said the US President would "do everything that he can in his power to to bring her home"
There was no indication whether or not Mr Biden would respond to Ms Griner's letter
The 31-year-old athlete, who was arrested at a Moscow airport on February 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges, went on trial on Friday, local time. CBD NOT THC
Ms Griner wrote a letter, sent by her representatives to the White House, appealing to Mr Biden for help to bring her home.
"It is a deeply personal letter. As you know, this President … takes that very personally as well," Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.
"I can confirm again that he has read the letter and it was, as we all know, deeply personal.
"And we're going to do everything, the President's going to do everything that he can in his power to bring her home, along with other US nationals who are being held wrongfully detained abroad."
Ms Griner made a direct plea to Mr Biden to stand up for her in the emotional letter, excerpts of which have been shared by her representatives.
"As 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," Ms Griner wrote in the letter.
"On the 4th of July, our family normally honours the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War veteran.
"It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year."
Brittney Griner has competed in the Olympics and the US Women's National Basketball Association but has also played regularly in Russia.(Reuters: Sergio Perez)
Ms Jean-Pierre said Ms Griner was "being wrongfully detained in Moscow" but she did not share details about how the US President would respond.
Reuters/AP
Ms Jean-Pierre said Ms Griner was "being wrongfully detained in Moscow" but she did not share details about how the US President would respond.
Reuters/AP
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