White House: 'Very concerned' about reports Paul Whelan in Russia feels under physical threat

FILE PHOTO: Verdict hearing of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, in Moscow

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, stands inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow, Russia June 15, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

Source: X90156

The White House said on Thursday it is "very concerned" about reports that Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine convicted of espionage in Russia, feels under physical threat.

"We're very concerned as we hear those accounts from Paul," John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House, told reporters. "We will continue to work hard through our embassy in Moscow to make sure he gets consular access and that we can address these direct concerns with our Russian counterparts," Kirby said.

Whelan, who denies spying, was arrested by the Federal Security Service (FSB) in a room in Moscow's Metropol Hotel on Dec. 28, 2018.

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By Reuters