WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki
(Picture: AP)American basketball superstar Brittney Griner has appealed to President Joe Biden for help after she was detained in Russia.
The three-time WNBA league champion could face ten years in prison if she is found guilty of illegal cannabis possession.
In a letter sent to the White House, she wrote about her fear that she might never return to the US.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote.
“I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
White House officials confirmed they had received the letter.
A spokeswoman from the National Security Council said on Monday: “President Biden has been clear about the need to see all US nationals who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad released, including Brittney Griner.”
In her letter, Ms Griner also voiced her pain at not being able to see her family for Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
She wrote: “On the 4th of July, our family normally honours the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam war veteran.
“It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
The basketball star was arrested at a Moscow airport in February on charges of possessing cannabis oil while returning to play for her Russian team.
Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in US courts, acquittals can be overturned.
The case comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington over the conflict in Ukraine.
US authorities claim she has been detained wrongfully and have called for her release.
Ms Griner played as a centre for the Phoenix Mercury and previously played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Women’s Basketball Premier League.
She appeared at a court in the town of Khimki, near Moscow on Friday afternoon charged with intentionally importing narcotics into Russia.
A second hearing will take place on July 7.
