Accused U.S. ‘Spy’ Paul Whelan Turns 49 in Moscow Prison With Freedom Nowhere in Sight
MOSCOW—Paul Whelan turned 49 in Moscow’s infamous Lefortovo prison today, Tuesday, with no sign he will be released soon and the possibility he won’t be freed for another 20 years.
Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who also has British, Canadian and Irish passports, was arrested on December 28 in his room at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow by Russian Federal Security, the FSB, and charged with espionage.
Paul’s twin brother, David Whelan, is marking their mutual birthday thousands of miles away in Ontario, Canada, and it’s heartbreaking moment for David. He can’t even speak to his twin on the phone.