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Only US Representatives Visited Whelan Detained for Espionage in Russia - Moscow

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Paul Whelan, detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage in late December, has only been visited by the US representatives so far, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik on Monday.
Sputnik

"[Whelan] was only visited by the US representatives. The US party has not approached us with this matter any more… The rest have asked to grant permission to visit [him] under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963," Zakharova indicated when asked about the possibility of visiting Whelan by representatives of other two countries.

Apart from the US citizenship, Whelan also has British and Irish citizenships.

"If the detainee wants these visits, they will be organized at a mutually convenient date," Zakharova indicated.

US, UK National Whelan Detained in Russia Also Has Irish Citizenship - Officials
At the same time, Whelan’s brother David was urging US diplomats to arrange a second visit this week in an email obtained by Sputnik on Monday.

"We're hoping this week to see Paul receive another consular visit," David Whelan wrote. "The US Embassy has indicated it will continue to lead on consular efforts, since Paul entered Russia on a US passport."

US Ambassador Jon Huntsman visited Whelan in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison last week. The Whelan family has also contacted representatives of the UK, Irish and Canadian governments since Friday.

Paul Whelan was detained in Moscow on December 28, with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) filing a criminal case against him over allegations of espionage.

READ MORE: No Talks About Possible Swap of Detained US Citizen As No Charges Brought So Far

According to FSB, Whelan had been detained "during a spy action in Moscow," the security service offered few other details on the case. On Thursday, a local court remanded him in custody.

READ MORE: American Arrested on Spy Charges Never Made Russia Business Trips — Ex-Employer

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