Cocktails & Popcorn: The Detroit-Russia Connection - Paul Whelan Social Media - Day 3

This colorful series will be enumerated by the day, starting with New Year's Day.

Social Media: http://archive.fo/p2uRE#selection-22777.35-22777.55

https://www.willowrunairport.com/accessibility

I don’t think Paul Whelan’s Kelly Services Star employee of the year is related to Mike Flynn. pic.twitter.com/Q3WIkg6WOE

— TruthLeaks (@GeorgWebb) January 3, 2019

Paul Whelan’s Kelly Service gives out a medieval sword to its outstanding employees. Can’t quite determine if that is a Knight Of Malta (a Blackwater Favorite) or some other vintage. pic.twitter.com/JidLUEyRbH

— TruthLeaks (@GeorgWebb) January 3, 2019

Looks like Whelan testified about his U of Michigan day’s against his colleagues at Kelly Services. Watch for Russian science students going to Michigan and Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/nqHM7g75W6

— TruthLeaks (@GeorgWebb) January 3, 2019

https://twitter.com/GeorgWebb/status/1080784981536976897 

https://twitter.com/GeorgWebb/status/1080772911735230464

https://twitter.com/GeorgWebb/status/1080875918233616385

Russia indicts American Paul Whelan on spying charges

American Paul Whelan, detained in Moscow last week, was indicted Thursday on espionage charges, Russia's Interfax news agency.

The agency, citing what it called an informed source, said Whelan had denied claims in the indictment. Whelan, a former Marine, was arrested Dec. 28 "while on a spy mission," the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) says.

Russian lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov, who was appointed to represent Whelan, told the agency that Whelan will remain in custody in Moscow until at least Feb. 28.

The FSB has said the investigation was continuing but that Whelan could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of espionage. The US ambassador in Russia, Jon Huntsman, has visited Whelan at Lefortovo detention center in Moscow.

Whelan's family denies the charges and says Whelan was in Moscow for a wedding when he was arrested.

More: Mysterious tale of Paul Whelan, American accused of spying in Russia

More: American Paul Whelan was in Russia for wedding, not to spy, family says

More: US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan 

"We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the family said in a statement after the arrest was announced.

Last month, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent for the Kremlin – and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. She has been in jail since her arrest in July. The Kremlin has denied that Butina is a spy.

U.S.-Russian relations have struggled in recent months despite Trump's frequent praise of President Vladimir Putin. Scores of Russian diplomats were expelled last year after the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter in Britain that was linked to the Kremlin.

And Special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election has brought scrutiny on communications between Trump's inner circle and Russian operatives.

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