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On Tuesday, the US State Department issued a travel advisory warning that Moscow “may single out and detain US citizens in Russia,” reiterating previous warnings for Americans not to visit the country. The warning was issued “due to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine,” as well as the possibility of harassment of US citizens by Russian authorities, according to the travel advisory, which reiterated calls for Americans traveling or living in Russia to leave “immediately.” It comes just days after a US diplomat was granted access to detained basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been in Russian custody for more than a month.
Mr. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was arrested on February 17 at a Moscow airport on suspicion of transporting vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
He was immediately detained after being apprehended, and a Russian court last week extended her detention until May 19. She could face up to ten years in prison.
The arrest took place at a time when interactions between Moscow and the West were from an all low as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The management of US President Joe Biden has led the Western feedback to the invasion, imposing unprecedented sanctions on Moscow and channelling weapons and aid to Kiev.
