Premium Content:

Brittney Griner shares her fear about being trapped in Russia

Brittney Griner

Detained US basketball star Brittney Griner has written to US President Joe Biden sharing her fear that she may be left in a Russian prison forever.

- Advertisement -

The 31-year-old player, who is a part of the LGBTIQA+ communities, was detained in Mid-February after Russian authorities alleged she had been found with vape cartridges contained hashish oil. The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Griner’s representatives shared sections of the letter she wrote to US President Joe Biden with The Guardian.

“I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner 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.”

The letter was delivered to the US President on American Independence Day and included references to her father’s service in the US Marine Corps, which included two tours of 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,” an excerpt read. “It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”

The sports stars trial is underway in Russia, but given almost all cases that face the Russian court result in a conviction, Grainer’s representatives are concerned that she could be facing a long prison term.

It has been suggested that the US government may negotiated a prisoner swap to bring Griner home, but it would involve releasing high profile Russian citizens currently incarcerated in the USA.

OIP Staff


You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

‘Reckless’: New First Nations-led comedy thriller premieres this November

The new series from SBS and NITV brings the drama to Fremantle.

City of Vincent Film Project returns to celebrate local stories and creatives

The initiative highlighting local stories and supporting WA creatives is back for another round in 2026.

Bibliophile | ‘The Warrumbar’ tells a story of Australia’s haves and have-nots

The year was 1969 when thirteen year-old Robbie rode three miles to high school, with one sister sitting on the handle bars.

Former actor Laurence Fox gains retrial over racist defamation claim

An appeal court has found that Fox's counter claim in a libel case should have been heard, but the original judgement will remain.

Newsletter

Don't miss

‘Reckless’: New First Nations-led comedy thriller premieres this November

The new series from SBS and NITV brings the drama to Fremantle.

City of Vincent Film Project returns to celebrate local stories and creatives

The initiative highlighting local stories and supporting WA creatives is back for another round in 2026.

Bibliophile | ‘The Warrumbar’ tells a story of Australia’s haves and have-nots

The year was 1969 when thirteen year-old Robbie rode three miles to high school, with one sister sitting on the handle bars.

Former actor Laurence Fox gains retrial over racist defamation claim

An appeal court has found that Fox's counter claim in a libel case should have been heard, but the original judgement will remain.

Fresh Tracks | The latest tunes worth checking out

New tracks from Ladytron, Melanie C, Sudan Archives, Courtney Barnett, Tame Impala, Louis Tomlinson and Eurovision star ADONXS.

‘Reckless’: New First Nations-led comedy thriller premieres this November

The new series from SBS and NITV brings the drama to Fremantle.

City of Vincent Film Project returns to celebrate local stories and creatives

The initiative highlighting local stories and supporting WA creatives is back for another round in 2026.

Bibliophile | ‘The Warrumbar’ tells a story of Australia’s haves and have-nots

The year was 1969 when thirteen year-old Robbie rode three miles to high school, with one sister sitting on the handle bars.