MOSCOW – Russian government agencies indicted Paul Whelan, a United States citizen and former Marine, on charges of espionage on Thursday, Interfax reported, citing an informed source.
Whelan, 48, was arrested in Russia’s capital while on a personal trip by the country’s security services on Dec. 28 with the charges of spying, and his appointed lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said earlier in the day that he will remain in custody until Feb. 28.
The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow over a plethora of critical issues, including fiery statements on Ukraine, management of Syria and the status of Cold War-era treaties.
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