Updated at 4:05 p.m. ET
Russia has allowed U.S. consular officials to speak to Paul Whelan, the U.S. citizen who was arrested last week by Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, on suspicion of spying. But family members say Whelan was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding, not to steal secrets.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, visited Whelan on Wednesday at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, a State Department official told NPR. The ambassador expressed support for Whelan and offered the embassy’s assistance. Huntsman also spoke with Whelan’s family by phone.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
