'I am in great pain': an American arrested in Russia declared ill-treatment in a pre-trial detention center

The American Paul Whelan, who was arrested in Russia on suspicion of espionage, said that the guards of the detention center had injured him. The US Embassy has requested urgent consular access to Whelan from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Photo: video frame YouTube / CBS This Morning

“The FSB is violating my rights, the prosecutor knows this. The FSB continues to treat me the same way, the prosecutor's office also knows this. The prosecutor’s office also knows that I was injured by the guards in the pre-trial detention center. They are aware of everything, but are not doing anything, ”Whelan said at a meeting of the Lefortovo Court of Moscow, reports New Paper with reference to Interfax.

According to him, because of the injury, he “experiences severe pain” and is undergoing treatment. The source of Interfax in the power structures said that Whelan was provided with security in the detention center, and “everything was in order with him until now.”

On the subject: "Revenge for sanctions." American detained in Russia complains of lawlessness

At the meeting, he also challenged the prosecutor, who is conducting the case. According to Whelan, the prosecutor is biased and "supports the accusatory bias of the investigation." The court rejected the challenge, considering such claims unfounded.

“You simply support the prosecutor’s office, there is no legal process,” Whelan emphasized. He also complained that he had not seen a lawyer for a month and was not notified of the meeting, RIA Novosti reports.

At the end of May, Whelan spoke about threats from the FSB investigator and asked for his challenge. As the court explained, recusals can only be made to the prosecutor or the composition of the court, but not to the investigator.

As the RIA News, the US embassy requested an urgent consular access to Whelan from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

When Whelan complained about his state of health in the courtroom, the newspaper notes, the judge decided to call him an ambulance. An ambulance paramedic, having examined Whelan, told reporters that he did not need emergency hospitalization.

“We have requested urgent consular access from @MFA_Russia to speak with #PaulWhelan regarding serious allegations regarding his health. The health and well-being of American citizens abroad is our top priority,” the embassy said on Twitter.

Whelan’s lawyers previously reported that Whelan was suffering from an inguinal hernia, that doctors from the Ministry of Health had visited him in jail, who examined the accused and requested information about his health from colleagues from the United States in order to assess the dynamics of his health. Advocates noted that even before the arrest, doctors in the States planned to operate on him.

On the subject: Brother American detained in Russia, told about the life of Paul Whelan

The FSB announced the detention of Whelan in Moscow at the end of last year. According to the intelligence agency, a native of Canada was captured during an espionage campaign, Whelan faces from 10 to 20 years in prison. From the data voiced in court, it is known that Whelan regularly comes to Russia from 2007 of the year. The man works as a senior corporate security manager at BorgWarner, a company that manufactures automotive components. The plot of the case is not officially disclosed due to secrecy.

However, the man’s lawyer, Vladimir Zherebenkov, told reporters that FSB officers detained Whelan because of a flash drive that a friend gave him at the Metropol Hotel. As the accused believed, the drive was supposed to contain photographs from a trip to Sergiev Posad, during which he and a friend visited the Lavra. The defender believes that for reasons of promotion, the comrade framed Whelan, since he is related to the security forces and “can get stars for this.”

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• 28 December in Moscow FSB officers detained US citizen Paul Whelan on suspicion of espionage. At the same time, Russia refused to explain what became the basis for the arrest and making of such charges.
• Detained brother David Whelan claims Paul came to Russia for his friend’s wedding, and insists on the relative's innocence.
• In April 2019, it turned out that Whelan is also a citizen of Great Britain and Canada. He was born in Canada to two British subjects - Edward and Rosemary Whelan. He also received Canadian citizenship by birth right in the country, but his brother, David Whelan, does not know whether Paul retained Canadian citizenship. Subsequently, the man moved to the United States, where he also received citizenship.
• In May, Whelan told the judge that wants to complain about his investigator from the security service of the FSB of Russia, arguing that “his actions, insults, harassment and threats to life are unprofessional and should not be allowed. “This is revenge for sanctions, there is absolutely no certainty in the case,” Whelan said in court.
• Early July Whelan complained about health. According to the diplomatic mission, Whelan is provided with basic medical care in jail, but it is not enough. The Russian side rejected the request for admission of an external doctor to the American for consultation.

Read also on ForumDaily:

"Revenge for sanctions." American detained in Russia complains of lawlessness

American lawyer detained in Russia was imposed on a non-English speaking lawyer

Brother American detained in Russia, told about the life of Paul Whelan

American arrested on suspicion of espionage in Moscow

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