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Visit by US diplomats to Paul Whelan postponed by Russian authorities — brother

FSB said earlier that Whelan was detained on December 28, 2018, in Moscow while on a spy mission

Paul Whelan EPA-EFE/WHELAN FAMILY

Paul Whelan

© EPA-EFE/WHELAN FAMILY

NEW YORK CITY, January 17. /TASS/. David Whelan, a brother of Paul Whelan, who was detained in Russia on espionage charges, claims that the Russian authorities have postponed a visit to his brother by US diplomats that was originally scheduled for Thursday.

"We are disappointed that the Russian government has postponed a scheduled visit by the U.S. Embassy's staff today (January 17, 2019). We had hoped to continue to have an opportunity to exchange additional information with Paul. The visit by Irish consular officials yesterday was very helpful and gave us an opportunity to receive specific guidance from Paul. Hopefully the U.S. Embassy's visit can be rescheduled soon, and the UK's request to establish communication with Paul will also be granted," he said in an e-mail message to TASS.

"The family is glad of the communication that appears to be occurring at the ministerial level between the governments interested in Paul's welfare. US Secretary of State Pompeo is reported to have spoken with Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, about Paul's case," he added.

According to official data, Paul Whelan, 48, is global security chief at BorgWarner, a Michigan-based automotive components company. In the 1990s, before joining the US army, he worked for Michigan police. He served at the US Marine Corps, having administrative posts. In January 2008, he was convicted on embezzlement charges and fired from the US army.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said earlier that US citizen Paul Whelan was detained on December 28, 2018, in Moscow while on a spy mission. A criminal investigation was opened against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years in jail. US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman visited Whelan at the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center on January 2.

Along with US citizenship, Whelan also holds British, Canadian and Irish passports.

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