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Paul Whelan's brother, an American suspected of espionage and arrested in Russia, said that the former Marine Corps member could be the victim of a diplomatic dispute between the two countries and that his family is afraid of being sentenced. by incompatible evidence.
Paul Whelan was arrested on December 28 "while he was conducting an act of espionage," according to Russian security services FSB. He may be sentenced to 20 years in prison. The arrest of Whelan – armed with British, American, Irish and Canadian pbadports – is the latest in a series of spying cases reported between the two powers.
"There are no details on the circumstances of his arrest, so it is difficult not to report it to a mere standoff between the two countries for whatever reason," he said. David Whelan at AFP in Newmarket, Ontario. North of Toronto
Whelan points out that he is "very concerned, especially by the lack of transparency in the Russian legal system".
"We are very concerned that he is charged without sufficient evidence and convicted," he said.
Last week, Russia announced that it was allowing consular access to America.
When reporters asked about Whelan's case, President Donald Trump said, "We are investigating this case."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Washington was trying to get more information on the situation.
However, David Whelan maintains the hope of a quick elucidation of the case.
"We think they are working on it," he told AFP, adding that the family hoped "the ridiculousness of this whole situation would lead the US government to take a step in before to bring his brother home ".
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