“We asked the Russian Foreign Ministry for urgent consular access to Paul Whelan to speak with him in connection with serious statements about his health,” the report said.
As diplomats noted, the health and well-being of American citizens abroad is their top priority.
On August 23, during the examination of the petition for the extension of the arrest, Whelan became ill, and an ambulance was called to the Lefortovo court. Doctors refused Whelan hospitalization.
The American was extended for two months.
At the end of December 2018, the FSB reported that Whelan was detained during an espionage campaign. He has citizenship of the USA, Great Britain, Ireland and Canada.