US Citizen Arrested On Spy Charges In Russia Seeks Bail

This undated photo provided by the Whelan family shows Paul Whelan in Iceland. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges, was visiting Moscow over the holidays to attend a wedding when he s... This undated photo provided by the Whelan family shows Paul Whelan in Iceland. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges, was visiting Moscow over the holidays to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother said Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (Courtesy of the Whelan Family via AP) MORE LESS

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian lawyer representing a former U.S. Marine who was detained in Moscow for alleged spying says his client is enduring custody well but he is trying to get him freed.

Paul Whelan, a 48-year-old corporate security director from the Detroit area, was arrested Friday on espionage charges. The Russian Federal Security Service, or FSB, hasn’t given details of what led to the charges.

State news agency RIA-Novosti quoted defense lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov on Thursday as saying he applied for Whelan to be released on bail set at an amount to be determined later.

Zherebenkov says Whelan is behaving “constructively and correctly” in custody.

The lawyer said of his American client’s mood: “There is no depression.”

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. met with Whelan at Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison on Wednesday.

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  1. Paul Whelan, the Butina Bargaining Chip. Looks like it’s a bad time to do business or be a tourist in Russia.

  2. So in a tit-for-tat, we should start arresting Russian agents in the US.

    How about we start with Donnie Jr. Eric, and Jarvanka?

  3. Avatar for dont dont says:

    Let’s start with Don Sr.

  4. I do wonder what this guy is really about, his bio is a bit sketchy. He could easily be a low level wanna be spy/grifter FOR Russia that is disposable to the Kremlin. Then again, everyone is disposable to the Kremlin.

    Obviously I don’t know what’s really going on here, but something is off. Sure, he’s a trade for Butina, but the back story is still pretty murky to me.

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