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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport

Fears grow Russia could use US basketball star Brittney Griner as ‘hostage’

United States Brittney Griner Russia Ukraine Vladimir Putin WNBA Texas
Brittney Griner (42) faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
Brittney Griner (42) faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Photograph: Ralph Freso/AP

A Texas congresswoman has called for Russia to release Brittney Griner as fears grow Vladimir Putin could use the US basketball star as a pawn during the war in Ukraine.

The two-time Olympic champion has been detained by Russian customs authorities, who claim they discovered vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. The arrest took place last month and the 31-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of bringing drugs into Russia.

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