Curious picture emerges of American arrested on espionage charges in Russia

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Russia’s arrest of U.S. citizen Paul Whelan on espionage charges represents a new flashpoint in an increasingly hostile relationship between Washington and Moscow.

Former officials and experts see Paul Whelan as a pawn in a larger geopolitical fight that has only intensified with the recent indictments of Russians by the United States. The Kremlin has accused Paul Whelan of spying but has offered few specifics about the circumstances of his arrest, the news of which broke on New Year’s Eve.

Since then, a curious picture has emerged in the media of a former Marine and avid traveler who built a network of contacts in Russia through social media and journeyed there several times since 2006.

Former officials say he does not fit the mold of someone recruited to spy on behalf of the U.S. More likely, they say, his detention was orchestrated in retribution for the guilty plea of Maria Butina, who admitted last month to being a Russian foreign agent infiltrating conservative organizations in the U.S. Some have suggested Russia could be setting the stage for a prisoner exchange for Butina, harkening back to the Soviet era.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/424648-curious-picture-emerges-of-american-arrested-on-espionage-charges-in?userid=229233

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. Bam.

[Mme. Defarge]

2. I have wondered

if he might actually be working for Russia.

[poli-junkie]

3. I hear Whelan is a Trumper

and has dual citizenships with the UK, and maybe with more countries (?). And he was dishonorably discharged from the military as well. Sketchy situation if you ask me.

[leftynyc]

5. 4 passports

I'm doing this from memory so forgive me if I screw this up - British, Irish, Canadian and US. British and Irish from one of his parents, Canadian from the other and took US citizenship on his own.

[fierywoman]

4. Does anyone know if Butina herself wants to return to Russia after

pleading guilty here?