Brother of ‘spy’ detained in Russia says sibling should’ve been home by now

The retired Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges would have been home Sunday, his brother said.

“Today’s the day my brother would have returned from Russia if he hadn’t been detained by the Russian government on as-yet unknown charges of spying,” David Whelan tweeted about his brother Paul.

Along with the tweet, David included a photo showing himself smiling and putting an arm around his brother, who can be seen wearing a blue University of Michigan sweatshirt.

Paul Whelan, 48, was in Moscow to attend a wedding when he vanished, his brother said last week. When he failed to show up to the ceremony, the married couple filed a missing-persons report with Russian authorities.

The family learned of his arrest Monday through media reports. He faces 20 years in prison if found guilty.

US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman met with Whelan on Wednesday and later spoke to his family by phone.

Whelan is also a citizen of Britain, Canada and Ireland — having been born in Canada to British parents. He now lives in Michigan, where he grew up.

In an op-ed published in the Washington Post Friday, David urged the US government to pressure Russia to release his brother.

“Paul is a kind and considerate brother, son and uncle, and a generous and loyal friend,” he wrote. “He travels as often as he can, both for work and pleasure. He is many things to many people, but he is not a spy.”