Kremlin denies US man being held in Russia as 'pawn'

The Kremlin on Wednesday denied Western allegations that it is using Paul Whelan, an American held in Russia on suspicion of espionage, as a pawn in a political game.

"Russia never uses people as pawns in some diplomatic game," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded in comments to journalists.

Russia "carries out counterintelligence activities against those who are suspected of espionage," Peskov said. "This is done regularly."