BorgWarner has issued a statement regarding the arrest of its director of global security security by Russian authorities.

“BorgWarner Inc. learned of the arrest of our employee Paul Whelan by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) from news reports published Dec. 31, 2018. We can confirm that Mr. Whelan currently serves as the company’s director, global security. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world.

“BorgWarner has been in contact with the relevant U.S. Government authorities in order to help our employee and the U.S. government. We ask that any further inquiries regarding this issue be directed to the U.S. State Department.”

Ottawa, Ontario born Whelan, now a U.S. citizen and a former U.S. marine, was reportedly in Moscow for a wedding when he was arrested.

At latest reports, U.S. diplomats had been granted access to Whelan but no information on that meeting was reported.