- Paul Whelan, Convicted of Espionage in Russia, Filmed for the First Time in 3 Years
- Conditions in Russian Labor Camp Revealed in Video
- Frustration Over Delayed Resolution and Potential Prisoner Exchange
The first time in three years, political detainee Paul Whelan, an American convicted of spying in Russia, was videotaped.
The former US marine was arrested in 2018 in Moscow, where he had traveled for a friend’s wedding, and received a 16-year sentence following a closed trial.
Mr. Whelan is deemed “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government.
RT, a channel supported by the Kremlin, filmed the footage in a labor camp.
Mr. Whelan refused, however, to grant an interview.
“It was a pleasure to see him again and to observe that the fight is still in his eyes. David Whelan, Paul’s twin brother, wrote in an email: “It’s good to hear that Paul is still unbowed.”
In the footage, Mr Whelan is seen lining up with other inmates in the prison yard, sewing industrial clothing in the prison factory, and then eating grey-looking food from a tray in the prison canteen.
Previously, he had informed his parents that he was being “forced” to participate in “Kremlin propaganda.” Despite appearing comfortable and smiling in the video, he states that he would not answer questions.
The video was shot in May, but it was just recently released.
He said jail staff threw and trampled his possessions when he refused to be interviewed.
The RT crew was at the remote IK-17 camp in the republic of Mordovia shortly after the detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich at the end of March, which precipitated a mass exodus of foreign journalists from Russia.
Russia accused the Wall Street Journal correspondent of espionage without providing evidence. The US government swiftly labeled him as “wrongfully detained” as well.
Senior officials have repeatedly demanded the release of both individuals.
From his incarceration, Paul Whelan assumed he would be traded for a notable Russian prisoner in the US.
He told me this was why he never appealed the conviction in 2020 and 2021 phone calls from prison. Always optimistic, he was confident he would be released shortly.
Since then, however, former United States Marine Trevor Reed and American basketball player Brittney Griner were detained in Russia, convicted, and then released in prisoner swaps.
The United States released the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Paul Whelan was “thrown under the bus” by his government, as emphasized in the RT video. The report’s release three months later appears to constitute Kremlin pressure on the US to make Russian concessions.
Paul Whelan, who has been incarcerated for five years, has expressed feeling abandoned.
When Evan Gershkovich was arrested on the same allegation of espionage, the Whelan family felt that Paul was “rattled like never before,” fearing that he would once again be overlooked.
Recent rumors suggest that the Kremlin is demanding the return of undercover agents known as “illegals” who were apprehended in the United States and Europe, as well as Russians convicted of cybercrimes.
The United States and the Kremlin confirm only their communication.
David Whelan stated that he believed the U.S. government was acting slowly and uncertain about how to respond.
“Unfortunately, it is unclear what the U.S. government is waiting for – finding a concession, or deciding to use a concession – and the fact that Paul must wait for their action in a labor camp is of no assistance.”
In July, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that his government was willing to “do anything” to bring the two men home, but that there was no “clear pathway to a resolution” at this time.
