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US, Irish diplomats soon to visit espionage suspect Paul Whelan

His brother David said earlier that diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow would visit Paul on January 17

GENEVA, January 15. /TASS/. US and Irish diplomats will soon visit Paul Whelan, detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters on Tuesday.

"Whelan holds the citizenship of the United States and also of Ireland, their diplomats will get consular access to him in the near future," he said, adding that Russia was strictly abiding by its obligations and rules of procedure.

Read also

Moscow court to consider complaint against arrest of suspected US spy Whelan January 22

Paul Whelan’s brother David told TASS earlier that diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow would visit Paul on January 17. "We heard from the US Embassy staff today that they have a meeting scheduled with Paul on Thursday. The Irish consular staff have been approved for a visit by the Russian Foreign Ministry for tomorrow, January 16, to see Paul. We are looking forward to an update on his condition. In particular, the US Embassy is hoping to offer the Privacy Act waiver for Paul's signature, something they have not yet been allowed to do," David Whelan said.

American’s detention

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Whelan was detained in Moscow on December 28, 2018, while on a spy mission. The FSB Investigative Department opened an investigation under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code (espionage), which carries a punishment of ten to 20 years in prison.

Whelan, 48, works as the corporate security director for automotive parts supplier BorgWarner. According to the Washington Post, he enlisted in the US Marines in 1994 and "rose through the ranks to become a staff sergeant, serving two tours in Iraq, in 2004 and 2006." However, Whelan "was discharged for bad conduct in 2008 after being convicted of several charges related to larceny."

Apart from US citizenship, Whelan also holds British, Canadian and Irish passports. US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman visited him at Moscow’s Lefortovo pre-trial detention center on January 2.

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