An official from the U.S. State Department talks about her conversation with a woman in court. 1:45
"I'm terrified I might be here forever," she wrote in a letter to the president.
"I realize you are dealing with a lot, but please don't forget about me and the other people," she said in the excerpt. Please do everything you can to get us home.
Her father's military service is noted in the letter.
On the 4th of July, our family usually honors the service of those men who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts to think about how I usually celebrate this day, but it's not the same this year.
The trial on charges that she tried to smuggle e-liquid into Russia started Friday. The proceeding is expected to end in a conviction and lengthy sentence, according to legal experts. According to the Russian government, the trial was a negotiating tactic to exchange her for prisoners.
A representative for Griner said they wouldn't release the whole letter or detail how it got to the White House. All of the messages sent to friends and family through her Russian attorneys have been monitored by Russian officials.
The White House and the US State Department have been urged to negotiate a trade that will bring her home. Russian state media outlets have reported that there are discussions about trading Griner for a Russian man named Viktor Bout who is currently serving a 25-year sentence for financing terrorism. U.S. officials are trying to get the release of another American who has been in Russian custody for over a year.
The trial is expected to go on Thursday.
As I sit in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts, without the protection of my wife, family, friends, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever.
I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you as well. I think you will do well. You can help restore my freedom by helping me. My wife is not with me. I don't have my family anymore. I don't like my teammates. I don't think it's right that they are suffering right now. I'm grateful for everything you can do to get me back.
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