Russia’s arrest of American Paul Whelan on spy charges seems a convenient lever to end admitted agent Maria Butina’s cooperation. Just last week Putin hinted w/ this denial: “we will not arrest innocent people simply to exchange them for someone else later”nyti.ms/2CIEbzD 
Russia's FSB arrested former Marine Paul Whelan Dec 28. State Dept? Crickets. Pompeo's in Brazil praising an authoritarian while the world's most aggressive authoritarian VV Putin has essentially kidnapped a US citizen. Putin's dream was to emasculate GosDep. Mission Accomplished
Brother of detained Paul Whelan says he has ‘no doubt’ Russia arrested his brother on trumped-up spy charges. David Whelan also says their family has heard nothing from Trump or the White House since the Dec 28 arrest in Moscow. Via @MSNBC
@MSNBC So here's an interesting plot twist. Paul Whelan, alleged US spy arrested in Russia, is a Trump supporter and avid Russophile. Even hates Obama. He sounds like someone Butina would befriend. Check out his social media page—on Russian VK, not Facebook👇👇👇 (via @EliotHiggins)
Paul #Whelan: US ambassador Huntsman visits arrested ex-marine, held in #Russia's notorious Lefortovo prison on suspicion of spying - BBC News bbc.com/news/world-eur…
I find Pompeo's first public remarks on #Whelan's arrest weird: "If the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return." Russia arrested him for SPYING and has opened a criminal case. Is US Secy of State suggesting his arrest for spying could be appropriate??
It's not safe for Americans to travel to Russia in wake of Whelan arrest: Former American ambassador Michael @McFaul rawstory.com/2019/01/not-sa…
Paul Whelan has had a Russian social media page for over a decade—early even for Russians. Terse postings, mostly celebrating Russian & US military & Christian holidays, but profile emerges. Calls Obama a moron, rips Congress, praises Trump. Spy? Hostage? Co-conspirator? THREAD👇
NEW: Russia has formally indicted American Paul Whelan on espionage charges (Interfax). Report from @Amie_FR for @washingtonpost washingtonpost.com/world/europe/a…
American Paul Whelan's Russia-appointed lawyer Zherebenkov said he will remain in custody in Moscow until at least Feb 28—nearly 2 months. ALSO: Canada confirmed a Canadian was arrested in Moscow, w/o naming Whelan. His twitter page also suggests he's a Canadian citizen too.
“We come in contact with federal agencies and officers all the time"—Paul Whelan described himself in deposition as a computer & security expert who routinely works w/ federal agencies—including FBI— domestically & abroad—embedded in US embassies detroitnews.com/story/news/loc… ^@Otpor17
“I was surprised to see him so confident,” said Whelan's Russian lawyer Zherebenkov. The high-profile criminal defense lawyer said Whelan was in an upbeat mood despite the long legal road he faces. Whelan's been in notorious Levortovo prison since Dec 28. nytimes.com/2019/01/03/wor…
Whelan's Russian lawyer said the American was likely under surveillance for some time. Rosbalt (a news agency close to security services) said Whelan was arrested "recruiting" a Russian citizen at Metropol Hotel to get a USB stick listing employees at classified security agency.
Not sure if this is a smear attempt or just macho Russia: Is Rosbalt suggesting Paul Whelan is a gay spy b/c he "oddly" didn't use his VK social media page to meet women, and most of his contacts were men connected to Russian Navy, Ministry of Defense, Civil Aviation Authority??
Well, there you have it. Whoever Paul Whelan is really, it's pretty clear he is being used to get Maria Butina back—to stop her spilling any beans about Russian influence operatives/ops. Even Whelan's Russian lawyer says he hopes "we can rescue and bring home one Russian soul."👇
🔥@StevenLHall1 on Whelan arrest: Russia’s good at propaganda. They put out a good story about a spy with a flash drive in a hotel, waiting months for trial. This is one big show. Russia has no rule of law. Whelan is a hostage. Until we push back hard, Putin will keep doing this.
