Russia detains American on spying charges in Moscow

Russian authorities have detained and opened a criminal case against an American they say is suspected of spying in Moscow.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had detained the US citizen on Friday, but did not give any details of the suspicions it has against him.

The US state department said that Russia had told it of the arrest and it expects Moscow to give representatives access to see him.

"We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," a representative said.

The man was named as Paul Whelan by the Tass news agency.

David Whelan confirmed to Reuters in an email that his brother had been arrested, but did not give any details.

The man can face up to 20 year in a Russian prison under local law.

The news comes as US officials investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Last month Maria Butina, a Russian national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a deal with prosecutors, admitting she has worked to infiltrate American conservative activist groups and politicians as an agent of Moscow.

Staffing firm Kelly Services, which is headquartered close to arrested Paul Whelan's home in Troy, Michigan.

Kelly said a Paul Whelan had worked for the company up to February 2016.

"Kelly has yet to confirm whether this former employee is the same individual reported upon in the news stories," a spokesperson said.