US State Department May Increase Pressure On Russia To Resolve Whelan Case - Family

The US State Department may increase pressure on Russia to resolve the case of espionage suspect Paul Whelan, who was detained in Moscow late last year, his brother David Whelan said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th March, 2019) The US State Department may increase pressure on Russia to resolve the case of espionage suspect Paul Whelan, who was detained in Moscow late last year, his brother David Whelan said on Monday.

Paul Whelan, who holds US, UK, Irish and Canadian citizenship, was detained on charges of espionage in Moscow in late December. He denies the charges and insists he came to Russia to attend a friend's wedding.

"Our family spoke with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizen Services Karin King in the highest level phone call family members have had with State Department staff," David Whelan said in a statement. "More importantly, we were reassured that, as decision points are reached, State has identified next steps."

David expressed concern that his brother has been interrogated many times in absence of his lawyer and translator.

"This psychological stress on Paul will continue until US government pressure is brought to bear on those responsible," he said.

David Whelan complained that Paul is not receiving phone calls or mail, and said no one has received any outgoing letters from his brother.

He added that Paul has no English-language books, saying even those sent from a Moscow book store three weeks ago have not yet been delivered.

However, the family is "more confident now that US government patience is not unlimited," he said.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia's law enforcement agencies are working on Whelan's case.