WASHINGTON, March 30, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The US State Department issued a
travel advisory on Tuesday warning that Moscow "may single out and detain US
citizens in Russia" and repeating earlier warnings for Americans not to
travel to the country.

  The warning was "due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine
by Russian military forces" as well as the potential for harassment of US
citizens by Russian authorities, the travel advisory said, repeating calls
for Americans traveling or living in Russia to leave "immediately."

  It comes days after a US diplomat was able to visit detained basketball
star Brittney Griner, who has been held in Russian custody for more than a
month.

  Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was detained at
a Moscow airport on February 17 on charges of carrying vape cartridges that
contained cannabis oil in her luggage.

  After being apprehended, Griner was immediately placed in a detention
center, and last week a Russian court extended her arrest until May 19. She
faces up to 10 years in prison.

  The arrest came as relations between Moscow and the West hit rock bottom
over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

  The administration of US President Joe Biden has led the Western response
to the invasion, leveling unprecedented sanctions against Moscow and
funneling weapons and aid to Kyiv.