Attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told Sputnik on Friday that he had signed an official defense agreement with espionage suspect Paul Whelan, detained in Russia, specifying that Whelan's relatives did not quite understand the peculiarities of the procedure
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 25th January, 2019) Attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov told Sputnik on Friday that he had signed an official defense agreement with espionage suspect Paul Whelan, detained in Russia, specifying that Whelan's relatives did not quite understand the peculiarities of the procedure.Earlier in the day, Whelan's brother David said that Paul had not chosen to cooperate with Zherebenkov voluntarily and could therefore choose another attorney.
"Paul and me have signed an official agreement. Some details have not been confirmed yet as Paul is thinking. This [the details] is an attorney-client privilege. The US citizens [Whelan's relatives] do not understand this," Zherebenkov said, commenting on David Whelan's claim that his brother could choose another attorney.
Paul Whelan, who holds US, Canadian, UK and Irish citizenship, was detained on charges of espionage in Moscow last December. He denies the charges and insists he came to Russia to attend a friend's wedding.
The 48-year-old is currently in custody. Earlier in the week, the Moscow City Court ruled down the appeal to release him from detention. David Whelan said that the family was disappointed but not surprised with the court decision.
