Numerous outlets are reporting that the Russian government has tried and sentenced former Marine Corps officer Paul Whelan to 16 year on charge of espionage. Whelan, 50, maintains his innocence and claims the Russians entrapped him in 2018. The Russians convicted Whelan in a closed trial, which John Sullivan, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, called ‘a mockery of justice.”
As the verdict was read in the Moscow court room, Whelan stood in the defendant’s cage holding a hand-written sign with several messages, including “Sham trial!” , “No Human Rights!” and “Paul’s Life Matters!”
Whelan was arrested in the Metropol Hotel on December 28th, 2018,while there to attend a wedding. The Russians claim he was caught with a computer and flash drive containing sensitive information. Whelan says the flash drive was given to him by an acquaintance he thought was a friend, and was supposed to contain holiday pictures. Whelan believes the Russian entraped him in exchange for a promotion.
Whelan is now facing 16 years of hard labor on top of the 18 months he has already spent in a Moscow jail. While not a surprise, the outcome of the trial has U.S. official saying it is outrageous and will have political consequences.
Ambassador Sullivan emphasized:
It is absolutely and impediment to better relations between the U.S. government and the Russian government.
Whelan’s family hope that diplomatic negotiations can now start to help bring him home. Since the trial has ended there “should be no diplomatic hurdles with the Russians”, said Whelan’s brother.
