American citizen Paul Whelan has reached a significant milestone this week, surpassing 2,000 days in Russian custody. Whelan, who is currently detained in a remote prison camp in Mordovia, Russia, expressed his disbelief at the amount of time he has spent incarcerated for a crime he claims never occurred.
Whelan, a former Marine, was arrested in Moscow in December 2018 and subsequently sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on espionage charges that he vehemently denies. Despite being declared wrongfully detained by the US State Department, Whelan continues to advocate for his release and that of fellow American detainee Evan Gershkovich.
Whelan emphasized the need for the Biden administration to take decisive action to secure their return, suggesting measures such as filling Guantanamo Bay with Russian officials or arresting Russian spies to compel the Kremlin to act.
He highlighted the lack of a fair judicial system in Russia, where individuals are often presumed guilty before trial and subjected to harsh sentences. Whelan expressed concern for Gershkovich, whose trial on espionage charges is set to commence behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg.
The US State Department reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of both Whelan and Gershkovich, with a spokesperson stating that their return is a top priority for Secretary of State and the President.
Whelan described the harsh conditions of his detention, including manual labor in a clothing factory, poor quality food, lack of medical and dental care, and overall unsanitary living conditions. He painted a grim picture of the environment in which he is held, emphasizing the violation of basic human rights.
As Whelan continues to endure his prolonged detention, efforts persist to bring him and Gershkovich back to the United States, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic challenges in securing their release from Russian custody.
