If this was a deliberate kidnapping by Russia, there will be more trouble for Russia. This is not acceptable.
Diplomats and citizens all over the world will become prey to Russia. This is just the beginning and Russia has made a huge mistake.
The West is still The West and no one will put up with Russian kidnappings. Europe is still reeling from the Novochok which is illegal. This is even more illegal. There is no case for his arrest. He is a member of an American family and a retired Marine. He was there as a tourist for legitimate reasons. A visiting American retired Marine is kidnapped? I don't think so.
Paul Whelan is retired and has no immediate knowledge of American military activities. There is no reason Russia can make these accusations. It won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan is a prisoner in Russia to leverage the USA with Butina. This is a crime by Russia and it won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan has rights to counsel and a right to international contact with diplomats. With the USA Embassy under siege by Russia, Sweden should take an interest in making demands for his release.
Paul Whelan (click here) poses by the Kremlin during a 2006 trip to Russia.
The brother of a US citizen (click here) arrested on Friday for spying in Russia has told BBC News he is innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding.
The family of ex-Marine Paul Whelan, 48, learnt of his arrest on Monday from news reports after wondering why they had not heard from him for days.
His twin brother David Whelan says he knew Russia well and cannot believe he would have broken any laws.
Russia's FSB state security agency says he was "caught spying" in Moscow.
The Michigan man was charged with the crime of espionage, for which he could be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison.
The US state department has requested consular access after being notified by the Russian authorities of the detention....
As of now, Americans are no longer safe in Russia. For all we know Paul Whelan may have been baited to come to Russia for the wedding. Russia is experiencing demonstrations and all is not happy in Russia.
Russia Federation (click here)
Travel Advisory December 18. 2018
Russia, Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Russia is experiencing problems with their youth and the Russian government is retaliating against teenagers.
It has been at least six months since Putin announced the reductions in pensions to benefit the motherland. This was from a man who is a billionaire by very underhanded international mechanisms, including his involvement as reported in the Panama Papers.
The Russian people are not happy. Add to this an exclusive hospital and medical treatment for the elite of Russia. It is a mess.
I don't know what the latest lies are by Putin to remove American guards from the Russian embassy, but, as internal unrest grows in Russia, BY THE HAND OF PUTIN, the real reason is that Russia has more control of American activities with their own guards at a time when unrest is increasing.
28 December 2018
A new Russian law envisages jail terms of up to two weeks (click here) and hefty fines for people who get children to join unauthorised demonstrations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law against mobilising child protesters. Organisers can be fined up to 50,000 roubles (£569; $720).
Russia's Interior Ministry says 475 teenagers were arrested at unauthorised rallies this year.
Opposition activist Alexei Navalny's rallies have resonated with the young.
Mr Navalny, who has attracted thousands to his protests, has been detained repeatedly for unauthorised rallies.
In recent months there has been a wave of protests against plans to raise the retirement age. From next year that age will be pushed back in phases; by 2036 it will have risen to 65 for men and 60 for women....
Russia has been growing unrest for some time now. It is taking hold so deeply that the Kremlin is negating elections and placing their own power player in place in elections that are controlled and false. It is too early to say Putin doesn't have control of the military. Ukraine is the myth the Russia military is holding on to as changes that are needed to secure the sovereignty of a revitalized Soviet Union. The pressures on Russia are multifaceted, but, the people are not happy.
10 December 2018
By Dmitry V. Shlapentokh
Ten years ago, (click here) Vladivostok was the scene of street marches and demonstrations. The area known as the Russian Far East had experienced a long economic slump after the collapse of the old Soviet Union and anger had built. The demonstrations were eventually and brutally put down after riot police were brought in from Moscow, some 6000km away. But that unusual defiance of Moscow in the region can still be detected a decade later.
In recent elections, residents of the Russian Far East rejected Moscow’s candidate for governor. The suspicion of distant authorities in Moscow is paired with quite a positive attitude toward immediate foreign neighbours, such as the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. There have even been outbursts of calls to “Give Vladivostok to Japan”....
Considering how unhappy Russians are with Russia, it is complete foolishness on Putin's part to play these political games with people like Butina. The storyline with Trump among the Russian people is populist. The Russian people like Trump because they believe they have a friend in Trump. Putin should really think that through. Let's see, an American president with populist influence among the Russian people. Hm?
Within the warning of the US State Department about Russia is it stated, "...arbitrary enforcement of local laws....". To me, that means, the central government does not have control of local authorities. Considering the size alone of Russia, that means local authority has little to no information from Moscow or has directions from Moscow that is not working for them. The size of Russia is always a problem for the country.
When the explosion took place in Russia that killed at least four Russians and people lost power to heat their homes in the apartments, Putin did travel to the city to make an impression on local authorities to be sure all was being done to rescue people from the freezing temperatures. There was a baby, I think, rescued in what was coined a miracle. New Years is a very big deal in Russia and this gas explosion was especially egregious to the people. Hence. Putin. It was an opportunity to be seen as caring about Russians in extreme danger. Just my take on these episodes.
If the local authorities are carrying that level of control over their communities, the arrest could have been a knee-jerk reaction to an Americans, but, given he was a retired Marine it takes the characteristics of a more curious victim of Russian political pranks.
If this a local issue, there is more hope it can be resolved far earlier than if this was a Putin prank.
