ロシアで逮捕の米バスケ選手、バイデン大統領に助力訴え

【ワシントンＡＦＰ＝時事】バスケットボールの米女子プロリーグ（ＷＮＢＡ）のスターで、薬物を所持していたとしてロシアで逮捕されたブリトニー・グライナー選手（３１）は４日、ジョー・バイデン米大統領に宛てた書簡で不安を訴え、釈放に向け助力を求めた。家族が一部を公開した。（写真は出廷したグライナー選手＜中央＞）
　五輪で２個の金メダルを獲得し、ＷＮＢＡでも優勝の実績を持つグライナー選手は２月、ロシアで違法とされる大麻オイルの入った吸引器が手荷物から見つかったとして、モスクワの空港で逮捕された。
　米当局は、不当な拘束だと主張している。
　グライナー選手は手書きの書簡で、「ロシアの拘置所の中で妻や家族、友人、五輪などで残した実績にも守られず一人きりで、ずっと閉じ込められたままかもしれないと考えていると恐ろしい」とつづっている。
　さらに、バイデン氏が職務に忙殺されているのは理解しているとしながら、自身をはじめロシアで拘束されている米国民を忘れないでほしいとし、「私たちを帰国させるためできる限りのことをしていただきたい」と訴えた。
　グライナー選手の初公判は１日に行われた。第２回は７日に予定されている。有罪なら最長１０年の禁錮刑を科される可能性がある。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/07/05-14:36）

American basketball star Brittney Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter Monday, portions of which were made public by her family.
Two-time Olympic champion Griner, detained in Russia since February on drug smuggling charges, told Biden she fears she might never be freed.
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, Griner wrote.
Griner's trial began Friday on charges she tried to smuggle vape cartridges with hashish oil into Russia. She faces up to 10 years in prison. The next hearing in her case is set for Thursday.
US officials have said Griner is being wrongfully detained by Russia, where she has played in the Women's NBA off-season in previous years.
Griner, arrested only days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, won a 2014 WNBA crown with the Phoenix Mercury. She's a two-time league scoring champion and eight-time All-Star center.
The 31-year-old told Biden in her letter she understands there are many matters he is handling but implored him not to forget her and other Americans being held in Russia.
I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees, Griner wrote. Please do all you can to bring us home.
I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. 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.
Griner's letter was presented to the White House on the US Independence Day holiday, which Griner says has an all-new meaning for her this year.
On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran, Griner said.
It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.