Paul Whelan (Photo: Facebook)
Thursday update: Multiple news sources repeat a report by Interfax, a Russian news agency, that Paul Whelan of Novi is formally charged with espionage by the Moscow government. The claim could not be independently verified. The Washington Post reports:
Russian lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov, who was appointed to represent Whelan, said the American will remain in custody in Moscow until at least Feb. 28. It was unclear whether court proceedings could begin before that date.
Meanwhile, the twin of Whelan, says his brother is a law-abiding citizen who was in Russia for a wedding last Friday.
The 48-year-old was arrested and detained in Moscow that day. Authorities in the country said he was on a "spy mission." But David Whelan tells WDIV there's "no way that Paul's a spy," citing his career in law enforcement and as a marine.
He gave additional information to the Free Press:
David Whelan said they grew up in the Ann Arbor area and graduated in 1988 from Huron High School. Paul Whelan served a couple of tours in Iraq with the Marines, never married and never had children. He doted on the family's golden retriever, Flora.
He described his brother as "a very kind person. He's very generous with his time; he's funny. He's a gregarious sort of person."
Being generous with his time is how Paul Whelan ended up in Russia in late December, David Whelan said. He was there to help a friend who was about to get married, his brother said. The two men had served in the Marines together.
"He loves to travel and he’s been to Russia on both personal visits and for work," David Whelan said. "And the friend asked if Paul could come and help because his family was going to Russia and hadn’t had a lot of experience there. Paul was there to help people tour the buildings and get around what can be a difficult country to navigate."
The twins were reportedly born in Canada. Paul Whelan is a U.S. citizen and David lives in Ontario.
David says Paul was previously a police officer with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department and worked security for Troy-based Kelly Services. He's curently employed by Auburn-Hills based auto supplier BorgWarner, where he's been since 2017.
Paul Whelan is single with no children. WDIV reports he's been living in a Novi apartment complex for at least four years.
U.S. Embassy representatives hope to see him soon. "We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," a State Department statement says.
If convicted, Paul Whelan reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison.
