Brittney Griner: Fears US basketball star detained in Russia could become political pawn

Basketball stars in the US claim they have been told not to make a “big fuss” in public about Olympic medalist Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February.

The Russian authorities claimed they had found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

Earlier this week the US embassy in Moscow said it had managed to contact her, saying she was in good condition.

But there’s concern that a public campaign could turn her into a political pawn amid the Ukrainian war.