MojNews-Moscow City Court extended on Tuesday detention of the former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan , charged with espionage , until March 29, 2020.

The decision was announced to the reporters by Judge Andrey Rasnovsky, following a closed session.

Paul Whelan was detained in Moscow by the Russian Federal Security Service on Dec. 28, 2018, on a charge of espionage, suggesting a punishment of imprisonment for up to 20 years.

Whelan has citizenship of four countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Ireland.