Rare video of Paul Whelan emerges from Russian prison.
Paul Whelan: Wrongfully Detained in Russia
Paul Whelan, the U.S. civilian the State Department has determined is being wrongfully detained in Russia, was recently featured in a state media video.
This week, Russian state-controlled news agency Russia Today released the video, which shows Whelan wearing a Russian prison uniform in rare footage of him since he was first detained more than four years ago. The former United States Marine was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on an espionage charge he denies.
A Glimpse Inside the Prison
In addition to wearing the prison’s black uniform and matching hat, Whelan appears in different parts of the facility with other inmates, using a sewing machine and being at the cafeteria.
“You understand when I say that I can’t do an interview, which means I can’t answer any questions,” he told the reporter doing the video.
David Whelan, Paul’s brother, said the Russia Today crew showed up at the prison to film Whelan in May and that “prison staff retaliated against him after he didn’t participate.”
“Today was the first time I’ve seen what he really looks like since June 2020,” David Whelan said in a statement. “So thank you, Russia Today, because although your reporting is the worst sort of propaganda and you are the mouthpiece for war criminals, at least I could see what Paul looks like after all of these years. I wish I could see Paul under better circumstances. But it was good to see him again and to see the fight remains in his eyes. It is good to know Paul remains unbowed.”
Paul Whelan spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month.
On Aug. 17, David Whelan said in a statement: “The call sends a message … to Paul, and to our family, it is yet another extraordinary show of the U.S. government’s ongoing commitment to secure Paul’s release. He has spoken with the Secretary of State and been visited in Mordovia by Ambassadors. I hope that is meaningful to Paul and buoys his morale. It seems to also send a message to the Kremlin.”
The Biden administration agreed to two prisoner swaps last year: one that returned Trevor Reed in April 2022 and another that returned Brittney Griner last December, but Whelan was excluded from both deals. The U.S. gave up two convicted Russians, pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko for Reed and arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner.
U.S. officials said the Kremlin did not make Whelan available in any possible swap and that his detention is viewed differently given the espionage charge, though they often reiterate their unwavering commitment to bring him and other Americans detained abroad home safely. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in March that the Biden administration has determined are dubious.
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