The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday criticized a demand by the U.S. Embassy in Russia to release suspected spy Paul Whelan out of health concerns.
"Letting a person go home, where they can receive the necessary medical help: does it only concern Paul Whelan? There are millions of prisoners in the U.S., including over 50 Russian citizens, many of them with health issues. Let them go," the ministry responded to the U.S. demand on Twitter.
Former U.S. marine Paul Whelan who is being held on suspicion of spying, stands in the courtroom cage after a ruling regarding extension of his detention, in Moscow, Russia, February 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
Earlier in the day, the U.S. embassy posted a tweet urging the Russian side to release Whelan for him to receive proper medical help, after he complained about his health conditions at a hearing on Friday when Russia's Lefortovo district court ruled to extend his detention for another two months.
Whelan was detained in Moscow by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of espionage on December 28, 2018, although his family said he traveled to Moscow only to attend a friend's wedding.
A criminal investigation was initiated against him. If convicted, Whelan faces up to 20 years in jail.
The 48-year-old suspect was a U.S. Marine and is currently the head of the security service of a firm producing automobile parts. He also has British, Irish and Canadian citizenship.
(Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, is escorted inside a court building in Moscow, Russia, August 23, 2019. /VCG Photo)