WNBA star Brittney Griner makes direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom, asks in letter to 'please don't forget about me'

Brittney Griner made a direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom Monday in a letter passed on through her representatives, writing, «I'm terrified I might be here forever.»

«I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other detainees,» an excerpt released by her representatives said. «Please do all you can to bring us home.»

The letter, described as «handwritten,» also notes her father's military service.

«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.»

Griner's trial on charges that she tried to smuggle vape cartridges with hashish oil into Russia began Friday. Legal experts and U.S. officials have described the proceeding as a «show trial» that is certain to end in a conviction and lengthy sentence. The trial has been described as a negotiating tactic by the Russian government to exchange her in a prisoner swap.

A representative for Griner said they would not release the entire letter, or detail how it got from Griner's jail cell outside Moscow to the White House. Griner has been able to send and receive notes to friends and family through her Russian attorneys, although all the messages have been monitored by Russian officials.

Griner's family and supporters have tried to ratchet up pressure on the White House and the U.S. State Department to negotiate a trade that will bring her home. Russian state media outlets, which typically operate under direct instruction from the government, have reported that there are discussions