NEWMARKET (CANADA): The brother of an American detained in Russia for alleged spying says the ex-Marine may well be caught in a diplomatic tug-of-war between the 2 powers, and the circle of relatives fears he could be convicted on flimsy evidence.
But in an interview with AFP, David Whelan stated they have got religion that the United States government will be able to deliver his brother home.
He was arrested on December 28 "while carrying out an act of espionage," Russia's FSB security provider stated.
"There are no details about the circumstances of his arrest, so it's hard not to connect it as merely tugging between the two countries for whatever reason," David Whelan stated in Newmarket, Ontario, north of Toronto.
"I'm very worried, particularly because there's no transparency for the Russian legal system," the brother stated.
"We have a great deal of concern that he will be charged without sufficient evidence, he'll be convicted."
Despite US President Donald Trump's again and again accommodating words towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, the arrest of Whelan is the newest in a series of espionage instances between the 2 international locations.
Asked through newshounds on Sunday about Whelan's case, Trump stated handiest: "We're looking into that."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated on Wednesday that Washington was trying to be told more in regards to the situation.
"We have faith that they're working on it," David Whelan told AFP, including that the circle of relatives is hopeful that "the ridiculousness of this whole situation will eventually cause the US government to step forward and to have him brought home."
Whelan held a British passport, as well as others, and on Friday Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated "we don't agree with individuals being used in diplomatic chess games."
Whelan additionally holds an Irish passport, even if he entered Russia on his US one, an legit supply told AFP. The Washington Post stated Whelan additionally carries a passport from Canada, the place he was born.
On Saturday, Russia demanded an explanation from the United States over the arrest of certainly one of its nationals, Dmitry Makarenko, held since December 29 for alleged cash laundering and making an attempt to export defense-restricted items.
Analysts have speculated that Moscow could be hoping to change Whelan for Maria Butina, a Russian held in the United States, or for some other Russian held there.
US intelligence products and services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
US security professionals have raised doubts that Whelan was a spy, given that he was, in line with The New York Times, court-martialed in 2008 from the United States Marine Corps for larceny and passing bad exams.
Whelan labored as director of world security for US-based automobile parts supplier BorgWarner.
His circle of relatives stated he was visiting Moscow for a friend's wedding ceremony.
In the interview, David Whelan reiterated his belief in his brother's innocence.
But in an interview with AFP, David Whelan stated they have got religion that the United States government will be able to deliver his brother home.
He was arrested on December 28 "while carrying out an act of espionage," Russia's FSB security provider stated.
"There are no details about the circumstances of his arrest, so it's hard not to connect it as merely tugging between the two countries for whatever reason," David Whelan stated in Newmarket, Ontario, north of Toronto.
"I'm very worried, particularly because there's no transparency for the Russian legal system," the brother stated.
"We have a great deal of concern that he will be charged without sufficient evidence, he'll be convicted."
Despite US President Donald Trump's again and again accommodating words towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, the arrest of Whelan is the newest in a series of espionage instances between the 2 international locations.
Asked through newshounds on Sunday about Whelan's case, Trump stated handiest: "We're looking into that."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated on Wednesday that Washington was trying to be told more in regards to the situation.
"We have faith that they're working on it," David Whelan told AFP, including that the circle of relatives is hopeful that "the ridiculousness of this whole situation will eventually cause the US government to step forward and to have him brought home."
Whelan held a British passport, as well as others, and on Friday Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated "we don't agree with individuals being used in diplomatic chess games."
Whelan additionally holds an Irish passport, even if he entered Russia on his US one, an legit supply told AFP. The Washington Post stated Whelan additionally carries a passport from Canada, the place he was born.
On Saturday, Russia demanded an explanation from the United States over the arrest of certainly one of its nationals, Dmitry Makarenko, held since December 29 for alleged cash laundering and making an attempt to export defense-restricted items.
Analysts have speculated that Moscow could be hoping to change Whelan for Maria Butina, a Russian held in the United States, or for some other Russian held there.
US intelligence products and services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
US security professionals have raised doubts that Whelan was a spy, given that he was, in line with The New York Times, court-martialed in 2008 from the United States Marine Corps for larceny and passing bad exams.
Whelan labored as director of world security for US-based automobile parts supplier BorgWarner.
His circle of relatives stated he was visiting Moscow for a friend's wedding ceremony.
In the interview, David Whelan reiterated his belief in his brother's innocence.
Family fears US man held in Russia is pawn in diplomatic dispute
![Family fears US man held in Russia is pawn in diplomatic dispute]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 07, 2019
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