The United States hopes to learn more about US citizen Paul Whelan's detention in Russia and gain consular access to him in the coming hours, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press briefing in Brasilia, Brazil on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 02nd January, 2019) The United States hopes to learn more about US citizen Paul Whelan's detention in Russia and gain consular access to him in the coming hours, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press briefing in Brasilia, Brazil on Wednesday."With respect to Mr. Whelan, who's being held, we are hopeful within the next hours we will get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more," Pompeo said. "We've made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is he's been accused of, and if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return."
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it arrested Whelan on December 28 during a "spy action in Moscow," and has opened a criminal investigation over possible espionage.
US media has reported that the 48-year-old is the director of global security for the Michigan-based automotive components supplier BorgWarner, and previously served in Iraq with the US Marine Corps.
According to media reports, Whelan went to Moscow to attend a friend's wedding, but never arrived at the event.
