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Since Russia accused U.S. citizen Paul Whelan of espionage and detained him last week, curious details about the 48-year-old’s personal life continue to trickle out. He was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008 for bad conduct. He has dozens of Russian friends on Russian social media site VKontakte.

And, as it turns out, he claims citizenship in four different countries — including Canada because he was born in Ottawa.

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tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Paul Whelan, U.S. citizen detained in Russia, has four passports. That could help him - or hurt him Back to video

Earlier this week, Jon Huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, visited the former Marine in the detention facility in Moscow where he is being held. But Whelan, a Michigan resident, also has family ties that allowed him to qualify for British and Irish citizenship. Both European countries are now requesting access to him, raising questions as to whether Whelan’s many passports could affect potential negotiations for his release.

And Canadian Global Affairs spokesman Richard Walker said “consular officials are aware that a Canadian citizen had been arrested in Russia.”