In Russia, a Moscow court today denied bail to a US former Marine who was arrested on espionage charges last month. Paul Whelan, 48, was taken into custody on 28th of last month by the Russian FSB security service. The agency said, he was caught while carrying out an act of espionage. Judge Dmitry Pronyakin of Lefortovo court said, the appeal of the defence for bail is not approved. <br />''<br />''Analysts have speculated that Whelan was arrested to pave the way for a possible spy swap with a Russian agent arrested abroad, possibly Maria Butina. Butina is a gun rights campaigner who was convicted of being a foreign agent in the United States last month and likely faces six months in jail. However, Moscow has rejected the idea Whelan could be exchanged for any US prisoner.<br />