Paul Whelan sends message directly to Biden in interview with CNN

Paul Whelan, a former US marine accused of espionage and arrested in Russia in December 2018, stands inside a defendants' cage as he waits to hear his verdict in Moscow on June 15, 2020. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Paul Whelan sends message directly to Biden in interview with CNN

New Day

In an exclusive phone call with CNN, Paul Whelan called on President Biden to "aggressively discuss and resolve" the issue of United States citizens being detained for political purposes when he meets President Vladimir Putin at a summit later this month. Whelan -- who is a US, Irish, British and Canadian citizen -- was detained at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 by Russian authorities who alleged he was involved in an intelligence operation. US officials have condemned his sentencing and Whelan denies the charges.

03:30 - Source: CNN

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Paul Whelan, a former US marine accused of espionage and arrested in Russia in December 2018, stands inside a defendants' cage as he waits to hear his verdict in Moscow on June 15, 2020. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Paul Whelan sends message directly to Biden in interview with CNN

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