Detained US citizen Paul Whelan was in Moscow for a wedding, his brother says

Author: AnneClaire Stapleton and Jason Hanna / Source: CNN

(CNN)A US citizen detained in Russia on accusations of spying is a retired Marine who was in Moscow for a wedding, and his detention has his family concerned about his welfare, his twin brother said Tuesday.

Paul Whelan, 48, of Novi, Michigan, was arrested Friday in Moscow on suspicion of carrying out an act of espionage, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said.

His family rejects the accusation.

“We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected,” Whelan’s brother, David Whelan, said in a statement released Tuesday to CNN.

Paul Whelan works in corporate security with US-based automotive components supplier BorgWarner, his brother said in a phone interview. Paul flew to Moscow on December 22 to attend a wedding ceremony for a fellow ex-Marine and a Russian woman, David Whelan said.

When Paul didn’t arrive at the wedding on Friday, his friend messaged him but received no response, the…

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