Britain asks russia not to use detained ex-u.s. marine as Pawn

Britain cautioned Russia on Friday that individuals should not be used as diplomatic pawns after a former US Marine who also holds a British passport was detained in Moscow on espionage charges.

Paul Whelan was arrested by Russia’s Federal Security Service on 28 December. His family have said he is innocent and that he was in Moscow to attend a wedding. “Individuals should not be used as pawns of diplomatic leverage,” British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said. “We are extremely worried about Paul Whelan. We have offered consular assistance,” Hunt said. “The US are leading on this because he is a British and American citizen.” Official sources familiar with US and British intelligence on Friday said that they were unaware of any possible connections between Whelan and any US or British agency. One of the sources said experts at intelligence agencies believe Whelan would have been far more careful if he was a spy, working under official cover as a US diplomat or “non-official cover” posing as a civilian. Since leaving the US military, Whelan had worked as a global security executive with US companies, had visited Russia and developed a network of Rus- sian acquaintances.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said this week Washington had asked Moscow to explain Whelan’s arrest and would demand his immediate return if it determined his detention is inappropriate. The FSB has opened a criminal case against Whelan but given no details of his alleged activities. In Russia, an espionage conviction carries a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

Whelan’s detention further complicates a strained relationship between Moscow and Washington, despite the professed desire of Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to build a personal rapport.