(CNN)WNBA StarBrittney Griner,Handwritten letter to President Joe Biden, she said she was afraid of being detained in Russia indefinitely and begged the president to remember her and other American detainees.
"(as) I sit here in a Russian prison and I may be scared, just in my opinion, without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jerseys, or achievements. She wrote, according to a statement released by a telecommunications company representing the Greener family.
Greener's support And U.S. officials said she sought her release as she was illegally detained, tensions between Russia and the United States increased, and fears of her being used as a political pawn increased.
According to a telecommunications company statement, Greener's letter to Byden was delivered to the White House on Monday morning. According to the statement, three excerpts from the letter were released, with the rest. It has been kept private.
"On July 4, our family usually fought for our freedom, including our father, a veteran of the Vietnam War. I commend service, because this year freedom means something completely different from me, "Grinner wrote to Byden.
"I think you're dealing with a lot, but don't forget about me and other American detainees as much as possible to take us home. Do that. I voted for the first time in 2020. I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have my freedom and so good that I can help you recover. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! Knowing they are suffering kills me now I'm grateful for whatever you can do now to take me home. "
CNN contacted the White House for comment.
In the only interview she had on the eve of her wife's trial in Russia, Cherelle Griner sat in the locker room of Phoenix Mercury and asked for further action.
"It's really, really difficult. This isn't a situation where rhetoric is in line with action," she said. "Unfortunately, we need to push people to make sure what they're saying to me is in line with their actions, and it's best to balance because I can't give up. It was difficult. It's been over 130 days and there's no BG yet. "
In a statement, Arizona MP Greg Stanton, who sponsored the resolution, said, "The days when we didn't think of Britney and weren't working to get her home. No, "he said. "We will continue to push her release so that she will not be forgotten."
Stanton was formerly the mayor of Phoenix. Greener is playing for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury.
Stanton announced a resolution in May with Democrats, along with Grinner's hometown of Sheila Jackson Lee and Colin Allred.
"Thanks to this overwhelming support show from Congress. We need to do everything we can to keep Britney's proceedings at the forefront and ultimately end this nightmare. There is, "Cherelle Griner said in a statement at the time.
Correction: In earlier versions of this story, Brittney Griner's name was misspelled.
