Discussion: American Detained In Russia On Spying Charges Also Holds British Citizenship

OK, that’s weird. Don’t you have to denounce all citizenship from other countries to serve in our Armed Forces as he had done before he was dishonorably discharged? I don’t know. I’m just asking.

Nevermind: Looked it up. Apparently not. Also, you don’t have to be a citizen at all and can have a green card and serve. I did know that.

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Dude is a Russian spy.

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hmmm, although double nationalities are not rare, I had not seen anything in his background that would have suggested British nationalities. Now, the guy is no angel, he was kicked out of the military for larceny. Certainly not spy material.

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Not sure about that, but all points that he is some kind of crook.

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The twitter machine told me last night he had a Canadian passport and an Irish Passport He was involved in all manner of nefarious deeds that got him booted from the Marines , the worst of which was trying to get medals for things he never did
One seriously shifty grifter douchebag
Nice try Russia , You can keep him, while we put the screws to Bettina and Wayne LaPirerre


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This Smithsonian article on military service as a pathway to citizenship has a wonderful collection of portraits.

It would be so fitting for the incompetents in the Trump administration if they were trying to use this guy to swap for Butina to get her out of the country before she can testify – but they didn’t know he’s a citizen of other countries that might get involved and muck things up.

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Actually, I see this as the fault of the incompetents working for good old Vlad.

They probably did a cursory glance at his resume - American, former Marine, and figured he’d do as trade bait for Butina. However, between his larceny in the USMC, his business deals in Russia, and now his multiple passports, they’ve opened up quite a can of worms for themselves.

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Has there been any reporting on exactly whose wedding Whelan was supposed to be attending in Russia?

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Whelan may have US/UK/EI citizenships,

Some details about him

Paul Whelan: Ex-US Marine held on suspicion of spying is UK citizen

Asked about reports he is also Irish, the Irish embassy in Moscow said: "The Embassy of Ireland in Moscow has requested consular access to an Irish citizen currently detained in Russia after receiving a request for assistance.
Paul Whelan: Ex-US Marine held on suspicion of spying is UK citizen

@winstonsmith

David Whelan has previously said that his brother was in Moscow for the wedding of a fellow former marine. “This visit was entirely for pleasure, from what I understand,” he said. Whelan’s family added that he has been to Russia “numerous times”, as far back as 2007.

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Another former Marine getting married in Moscow? It gets curiouser and curiouser.

Considering Whelan’s twin brother didn’t know about his court martial, I’m not sure he’s the best source of information.

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He`s trade for Martina .

Turns out Whelan also has a Canadian passport. So that’s up to four countries – US, Canada, Ireland, UK.