In a recent development, American citizen Paul Whelan, who has been wrongfully detained in Russia since 2018, has raised concerns about his safety after being assaulted by another inmate in a Russian prison camp. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is currently serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges, which he vehemently denies.
Whelan revealed that he is being targeted by an unknown prison official at the remote Mordovia prison camp, where he is being held. According to Whelan, the official sought revenge after being reprimanded following the assault on Whelan by another inmate on November 28th. Whelan's sister expressed her alarm, stating that she is deeply concerned and horrified by these latest developments. She mentioned that Mordovia is an isolated area and suspects that prison guards are accustomed to behaving without any scrutiny.
The imprisoned American further disclosed that the prison official, whose name remains undisclosed, encouraged other inmates to provoke conflicts with Whelan, with the intention of seeing him face disciplinary action. Additionally, Whelan claimed that these prisoners, acting on behalf of the official, demanded $1,100 for his protection, which coincidentally matches the exact amount in Whelan's prison account. He emphasized that the inmates could only have known this sum if they had been informed. In an effort to coerce compliance, Whelan stated that the official ordered him to move to a different barracks, thereby exposing him to potential criminal behavior and the risk of further assault.
The White House has expressed deep concern over Whelan's latest revelations and has vowed to address the matter with Russian officials. The United States has previously presented a proposal to resolve the situation, which was rejected by Russia. Nevertheless, the U.S. government remains committed to exploring alternative avenues to secure the release of both Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is similarly wrongfully detained in Russia.
Whelan provided further chilling details about his precarious situation, highlighting the presence of knives among inmates and the rampant use of stimulants that can trigger violent behavior. He described the overall conditions in Russian prisons as abysmal, with corrupt prison guards controlling basic necessities such as access to bathrooms, food, lighting, and even freedom of movement.
Concerned about potential additional charges, Whelan has taken great care to ensure that he does not possess any weapons within the prison. He expressed a sense of unease as an American within the camp, as some inmates harbor negative sentiments towards the U.S. due to its support of Israel in the Gaza conflict.
Despite his security concerns, when Whelan discussed the issue with prison officials, he was offered solitary confinement as a solution, with minimal daily human interaction. No response has been received from the prison authorities regarding these allegations.
The situation of Paul Whelan remains distressing, as he continues to face perilous conditions and fears for his safety while wrongly incarcerated in a Russian prison. Efforts, both from the United States and international organizations, persist in advocating for his release on the grounds of his innocence and the violation of his human rights.
