’I’m terrified I might be here forever’: Brittney Griner appeals to Biden in letter

The detained WNBA star Brittney Griner made a direct appeal to US president Joe Biden for her freedom in a handwritten letter that was delivered to the White House on Monday morning, according to her representatives.

Related: Brittney Griner in court as Russia may want to use case to negotiate prisoner exchange with US

“I’m terrified I might be here forever,” an excerpt shared by Griner’s representatives with the Guardian said. “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”

Griner, one of America’s most decorated women’s basketball players, was detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service in February after it said it discovered vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. Her trial began on Friday and it has been widely speculated that Moscow could use Griner to negotiate the release of a high-profile Russian in US custody.

The letter, which invoked America’s Independence Day, also made mention of her father’s service in the US Marine Corps, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam.

“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those men who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran,” another excerpt read. “It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”

A representative for Griner said the entirety of the letter to Biden was being kept private and that her wife, Cherelle, was unavailable for comment.

Last month, Cherelle Griner told CNN that she feels not enough is being done by US diplomats, despite their best intentions.

“I don’t think the maximum