Posted on May 24, 2019
Ex-marine calls Russia spy case 'political kidnap'
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A former US marine imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of spying has complained of "abuses and harassment" and says he is a "victim of political kidnap".
Mr Whelan - a citizen of the US, UK, Canada and Ireland - was arrested in late December, accused of espionage.
The 48-year-old denies the charges and told a court on Friday that he had been subjected to threats and abuse by a security service investigator.
The comments came as his pre-trial custody was extended until 29 August.
Mr Whelan told the court that there was "absolutely no legitimacy" to the case against him, describing it as retaliation for US sanctions.
If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Mr Whelan - a citizen of the US, UK, Canada and Ireland - was arrested in late December, accused of espionage.
The 48-year-old denies the charges and told a court on Friday that he had been subjected to threats and abuse by a security service investigator.
The comments came as his pre-trial custody was extended until 29 August.
Mr Whelan told the court that there was "absolutely no legitimacy" to the case against him, describing it as retaliation for US sanctions.
If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Ex-marine calls Russia spy case 'political kidnap'
Posted from bbc.com
Russia
Spying
Marines
Intelligence
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel With multiple citizenships and I presume passports. Why does WHELAN wish to claim his incarceration is attributable to the US? Let him seek relief from one of his other ‘countries’!
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There seems to more to this story than “joe citizen” getting thrown in jail.
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