![]() ![]() He was discharged from the Marines for bad conduct ![]() He told Security Magazine in 2013 that his job at Kelly Services involved, in part, preventing workplace violence. The company has said it doesn’t have facilities in Russia.īefore working for BorgWarner, Paul Whelan was a senior manager in the global security and investigations group Kelly Services, a US-based global office staffing company. His twin brother, David Whelan, said the job entails making sure BorgWarner facilities are physically secure. He has worked for the company since 2017. He works as the director of global security for automotive components supplier BorgWarner. Whelan was born in Canada to British parents, and lives in Novi, Michigan. Whelan’s arrest also comes two weeks after alleged Russian spy Maria Butina pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the United States.Īs US officials and Whelan’s relatives wait to learn more about his charges, here’s everything we know about Whelan so far: Russian authorities say the 48-year-old American citizen has been working as a spy, while his family says he visited the country only as a tourist. 1, but contact with the American abruptly stopped on the day of his arrest.Paul Whelan’s mysterious arrest in Russia has drawn international attention and sparked speculation about what may have prompted his arrest. ![]() Petersburg said the pair had made plans to meet in that city around Jan. Several Russian acquaintances described Whelan as a friendly man who greatly appreciated Russia and had a basic command of the language.Īn acquaintance in St. Whelan was discharged for bad conduct in 2008 after being convicted of several charges related to larceny, according to the records. ![]() He enlisted in the Marines in 1994 and rose through the ranks to become a staff sergeant, serving two tours in Iraq, in 20, according to military records released to The Post. According to Whelan's brother and Russian acquaintances reached by The Post, he has been visiting Russia since 2007. government," the company said in a statement. Government authorities in order to help our employee and the U.S. "BorgWarner has been in contact with the relevant U.S. Whelan works as the corporate security director for BorgWarner, an automotive parts supplier based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, that has business contracts in Russia. Whelan's arrest comes as tensions between Washington and Moscow continue to escalate over issues including election interference, the crises in Syria and Ukraine, and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain. The person added that it could take months before the case is resolved. embassies are not closed during the shutdown, they are working with reduced staff. government shutdown may have hindered this process, said a person familiar with Whelan's case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.Īlthough U.S. government should have visited Whelan in detention by now, according to Russia's obligations under the Vienna Convention, which dictates that consular access must be provided within a 72-hour window from the time of arrest.īut the U.S. "It is inconceivable to me that he would have done anything to break the law in Russia," David Whelan told The Washington Post.īy Russian law, foreigners found guilty of spying on Russia face between 10 and 20 years in jail.Ī member of the U.S. Whelan's twin brother, David, said Paul was in Moscow for a wedding of a fellow Marine, which took place at an upscale hotel in central Moscow on Dec. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |