Russian prosecutors asked a court on Monday to sentence former US Marine Paul Whelan.
Whelan is accused of being at least a ranking US military intelligence colonel, caught red-handed trying to obtain secrets.
According to Reuters, Whelan's lawyer said prosecutors want his client sentenced to 18 years in a maximum security prison.
The prosecution has made a very harsh demand, it’s absolutely unjustified and groundless.
To be honest, we’re in shock.