Chappaqua, New York - It's unlikely the "Free Brittney" campaign being pushed by Hillary Clinton will go viral in Russia, but a former presidential candidate can dream.

The 2016 Democratic nominee tweeted for the release of basketball star Brittney Griner, who is imprisoned in Russia, by drumming up a slight variation of the "Free Britney" tagline made popular when pop star Britney Spears was fighting to end her conservatorship.

Griner was arrested at an airport outside Moscow last month by Russian authorities, who claim she was in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. Little is known about the 31-year-old's detainment.

She was apprehended as tensions rose between Russia and the West in the buildup to Russian president Vladimir Putin's February 24 invasion of Ukraine. There are concerns that hostilities between the US and Russia could complicate her case.

If convicted, the superstar, who was in Russia to play basketball, could spend a decade in prison.

The Russian government restricted access to Twitter as its state-run news agencies reportedly continue to misinform the public about the nature of the war against Ukraine.

The hashtag campaign to free Spears met with a happy ending for fans of the Toxic singer, who won a five-month legal battle to wrestle control of her financial and business affairs from her father in November. The 39-year-old star's professional matters had been handled by her dad for the nearly 14 years.

Other politicians, such as Squad member Cori Bush and Rep. Colin Allred of Texas, as well as high profile current and former athletes, have joined the call for Griner's release.

Among them are tennis legend Billie Jean King and WNBA Hall of Famer Dawn Staley.