Russia extends arrest of US basketball star over drugs charge

A Russian court has extended the detention of US basketball star Brittney Griner for another two months, reports state news agency Tass.

The 31-year-old has been held in Moscow since February when customs officials allegedly found cannabis oil in her luggage.

It carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.

Hillary Clinton had called for her release, after re-tweeting a BBC article about the player's predicament.

But the Moscow court announced on Thursday it was keeping her in custody.

"The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19," the court said, according to Tass.