- Paul Whelan, 49, held in Russia insists he is more Mr Bean than Mr Bond in court
- Whelan denounced the case against him , and said he is being held ‘hostage’
- Asked if he thought he was being held for possible prisoner swap, he agreed
- Whelan has been held in Russia since last year on spy charges, which he denies
- Moscow court extended his detention for another two months, to December 29
A former US marine who has been held in Russia since last year on spy charges insisted he was more Mr Bean than Mr Bond as a Moscow court extended his detention for another two months.
Paul Whelan, 49, denounced the case against him on Thursday and said he was being held ‘hostage’ for a possible prisoner exchange.
Upon entering the court, Whelan held up a handwritten note asking international leaders to fight for his release.
Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British citizenship, was arrested for allegedly receiving state secrets in December 2018. He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted.