The family of US citizen Paul Whelan, who is detained by the Russian authorities on suspicion of espionage, is proposing a draft bill to lawmakers in Congress that will close the Privacy Act waiver loophole, the suspect's brother, David Whelan, said in a statement on Wednesday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th February, 2019) The family of US citizen Paul Whelan, who is detained by the Russian authorities on suspicion of espionage, is proposing a draft bill to lawmakers in Congress that will close the Privacy Act waiver loophole, the suspect's brother, David Whelan, said in a statement on Wednesday."We are circulating a draft bill to Congressional representatives to attempt to close the Privacy Act waiver loophole," the statement said. "If passed, it would allow Americans detained by foreign governments to provide an oral waiver of the Privacy Act in situations where they aren't allowed, or aren't able, to sign a release as the law currently requires."
David Whelan explained that the draft bill aims to limit foreign governments' ability to interfere with the rights of detained Americans.
"Hopefully, the House and the Senate can take this action before the next American is detained," the statement said.
Paul Whelan was detained on charges of espionage in Moscow in December, but he denied the charges against him and continues to insist that he arrived in Russia to attend a friend's wedding.
The Moscow City Court has ruled down an appeal to release Whelan from detention.
