The brother of a U.S. citizen arrested in Russia on espionage charges said Tuesday he's innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding. Paul's twin brother, David Whelan, who lives in Newmarket, Ont., told CBC News the allegations don't ring true to him. My brother was detained by the Russian government on Friday as an alleged spy. The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the case is fabricated and Butina entered the guilty plea because of the threat of a long prison sentence.

Source: CBC News January 01, 2019 16:31 UTC