Brittney Griner Update: WNBA Star Sends Emotional Letter to Joe Biden Amid Russia Detention

WNBA star and Olympic Gold medalist Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since mid-February, has sent a letter directly to U.S. President Joe Biden. In her letter, she asked the president to fight for her freedom as she remained imprisoned in Russia. She was detained there for alleged drug possession charges.

ESPN's TJ Quinn shared some excerpts from the letter, which was shared by Griner's representatives. She sent the letter on the 4^th of July when the United States celebrates its freedom from British rule.

In her letter, she said that on the topic of the 4^th of July, the concept of freedom now feels completely different for her. She also said in the letter that she is terrified that she might be detained in Russia forever.

Sporting News noted that how the White House received her letter is still unclear. However, ESPN's TJ Quinn said the Phoenix Mercury star can send messages to friends and family, but the Russian government is heavily monitoring what she is sending them.

Brittney Griner's Trial in Russia Begins

According to CBS News, Griner's trial has now officially started in Russia last July 1. However, this took 130 days of detention. Griner told the court that she understood the charges against her. but declined to enter a plea. There was a delay due to the absence of two witnesses, but the trial is expected to continue on July 7.

ESPN reported that she has yet to enter a plea, but sources familiar with her case have said that there is a strong chance for her to plead guilty to her charges. According to ESPN, she knows that Russian officials would require an admission of guilt as part of any deal which would send her home.

U.S. officials have classified her as "wrongfully detained" by Russia. This means that the U.S. government will seek to negotiate for her release and return, as opposed to just letting her case play out if she was guilty of her crimes.

Russian Officials Allegedly Found Cannabis Oil in Her Vape Cartridges

Brittney Griner is a WNBA star who is supposed to be playing as a center for the Phoenix Mercury this WNBA season.

During the WNBA offseason, she played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia, and this was the reason she was in the country in the first place. However, as she was boarding a plane at the Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17, Russian officials detained the 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist.

Russian officials allegedly found cannabis oil in her vape cartridges. They charged her with the illegal smuggling of cannabis into the country.

U.S. Representative Colin Allred has been vocal in his support for the detained WNBA star. He said that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow should have been allowed access to her immediately after she was arrested. However, Russian officials only allowed the embassy to talk to her a few weeks later. She says that her detention is "unusual and concerning."

The United States is currently imposing sanctions and criticizing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: WNBA star Brittney Griner urges Biden to help in letter from prison - CBS Evening News