A Russian court found former U.S. marine Paul Whelan guilty of spying for the United States and sentenced him to 16 years in jail
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, stands inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow, Russia June 15, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Russia says Whelan, 50, was caught red-handed with a computer flash drive containing classified information. Whelan, who pleaded not guilty, said he was set up in a sting and had thought the drive, given to him by a Russian acquaintance, contained holiday photos. Vladimir Zherebenkov, Whelan’s lawyer, said his client had been told when detained that he would be part of a prisoner swap with a Russian national held in the United States.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington to secure the release of two Russian nationals - convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko, a pilot serving 20 years in the United States for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the country.Zherebenkov said Whelan had no objection to the idea of formally asking Russia to pardon him, something that if granted could secure his release.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian court sentences US citizen Paul Whelan to 16 years in prisonFormer US Marine Paul Whelan found guilty of espionage in Russia and sentenced to 16 years in prison, a Moscow court ruled
Read more »
Former Marine Paul Whelan Found Guilty in Russia of Espionage, Sentenced to 16 Years in PrisonPaul Whelan was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage in a case that has drawn condemnation from the U.S. and threatens to further erode troubled relations between Moscow and Washington.
Read more »
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, convicted of espionage charges in Russia, gets 16-year prison sentenceAmerican Paul Whelan, a former Marine, was convicted by Russia of spying, receiving a 16-year prison sentence that could involve time in a labor camp.
Read more »
Former Marine Paul Whelan Found Guilty in Russia of Espionage, Sentenced to 16 Years in PrisonPaul Whelan was found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage in a case that has drawn condemnation from the U.S. and threatens to further erode troubled relations between Moscow and Washington.
Read more »
American sentenced to 16 years in Russia on spying chargesNEW: Moscow City Court convicts Paul Whelan on charges of espionage and sentences him to 16 years in maximum security prison colony.
Read more »