US requests access to American detained in Moscow

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON

The U.S. is requesting access to an American who was detained in Moscow on spy charges, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

Pompeo spoke after meeting with his incoming counterpart Ernesto Araujo in Brazil.

The U.S. is "hopeful within the next hours we’ll get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more," said Pompeo.

"We have made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he’s been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return," he said.

Russian security services apprehended Paul Whelan on Dec. 28 in Moscow on suspicions of espionage, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

Espionage charges in Russia can lead to prison terms of 10 to 20 years.

Whelan's family posted a statement on Twitter saying he had been in Moscow attending a wedding.

"We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement said.