Transcript for Man accused by Russia of spying will contest charges: Lawyer

His Russian attorney told ABC news poll Leland is in good spirits and ready to fight the espionage charges against him. Today the attorney is contesting we wounds detention in an isolated cell in a notorious Moscow prison. It's where we went has been held since his arrest December 28. And where US ambassador Jon Huntsman visited and found him in good condition. It was arrested at the historic upscale metro poll hotel in Moscow where he had been staying according to his family for a friend's wedding. We realize that something had gone wrong. And that Paul wasn't where he was supposed to be but no one knew where he was. A Russian news site known for its ties to the security services reported Whalen was found with a classified list of Russian operatives. The same site also reported Wheeler and tried to recruit Russians first by cultivating them on social media. And then by coming to Russia to meet them. His lawyer said Wheeler and rejects those charges and is Stanley feared this was all a set up to retaliate for the arrest in this country of Maria cortina. The Russian national who tried to infiltrate conservative political circles I can't think of any plausible reason that Paul as the rest of Russia. We landed visited Russia a number of times so he may have been an easy mark but he seems an unlikely spy. The Marine Corps gave him a bad conduct discharge for attempted larceny the kind of blemish that may make US intelligence services leery. Aaron Peter ski ABC news New York.

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