The American Paul Whelan was arrested on Dec. 28 in Moscow and accused of espionage. What stands out in his case is not that he is extremely unlikely to be a spy – Moscow’s hostage-taking is well known. Whelan can be viewed as what the Russian intelligence calls a “useful idiot” – a foreign Russia-lover intoxicated by its charms. His case proves that Russia will not hesitate to dispose of such a foreign fan if the moment is right – no matter their love.
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Paul Whelan, a former US Marine accused of espionage and arrested in Russia, stands inside a defendants' cage during a hearing at a court in Moscow on Jan. 22, 2019.
