WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Canadian diplomats in Moscow visited Paul Whelan, who is currently in custody in Russia on espionage charges, his brother David Whelan said in a statement on Friday.

“He [Paul] met yesterday with the Canadian Charge d'Affaires, Stephane Jobin, and other Canadian consular staff at Lefortovo prison,” David Whelan said.

During this visit, David added, Paul Whelan confirmed that his lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov was chosen for him.

"We remain in the dark about who made the choice if Paul didn't," David said in the same statement. "Paul's inability to speak Russian continues to make communication in prison difficult, and he is concerned that he has only seen his lawyer, who doesn't speak English, twice since he was arrested."

However, David also said he exchanged emails with English-speaking lawyer Olga Karlova who indicated she is now part of the defence team and they are hoping to make more regular visits, including one next week.

Moreover, David said a list of alternative Russian lawyers has been provided should Paul decide he needs a change of counsel.

"We are hopeful he will be given the list as it is our understanding under Article 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code that it is Paul's right to select his defence counsel," David said. "Our family is not advocating for or against a change in counsel, but we believe Paul's right to choose should be respected."

The uncertainty around his lawyer and the investigator's continued prohibition on allowing Paul to consider the US Embassy's Privacy Act waiver underscore how critical continued consular access is for his brother, he added.

"He has raised concerns about his medical care and his legal representation and the only way he can receive help is by ongoing visits from representatives from the US, Canadian, Irish, and UK embassies," David explained.

The Canadian embassy helped the family to send some supplies including food and writing materials which Paul Whelan requested, according to the statement.

The recent court hearing of the case of Paul Whelan ruled that his detention was lawful and refused to release him from custody. As his attorney Vladimir Zherebenkov specified to Sputnik that Whelan had found to be in possession of classified documents at the time he was detained.

READ MORE: Espionage Suspect Whelan Had Classified Docs at Detention in Russia — Attorney

Whelan, 48, who also has Irish, Canadian and US citizenship, was detained on espionage charges in Moscow in December of last year. He has dismissed the charges and insists he came to Russia only to attend a friend's wedding.

READ MORE: US, UK, Canada, Ireland Envoys Discuss Whelan Espionage Case — Whelan's Brother