Moscow court postpones hearing of accused spy Whelan's case to April 20
MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - The Moscow City Court has postponed the hearing of the case of Paul Whelan, a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Ireland, charged with spying in Russia.
"The bill of indictment was pronounced at the hearing today. The hearing has been postponed to April 20," Whelan's defense lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said.
Whelan asked the court to allow an American doctor from the United States embassy in Moscow to visit and examine him at the detention facility, Zherebenkov said.
"The Moscow City Court has inquired the necessary medical documents from the Federal Penitentiary Service and the investigation and will make a decision on this request on April 20," Zherebenkov said.
Whelan complained that his groin hernia aggravated, he said.
"He finds it difficult to get up. He has asked for a medication in jail from time to time, and they've given him No-Spa [drotaverine, an antispasmodic drug]," Zherebenkov said.