A former U.S. Marine being held in Russia over claims of spying said Friday that his case is retribution for U.S. sanctions levied against Russia in response to Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
At a press conference reported by CBS News, Paul Whelan spoke following a Russian judge’s order that his detention be extended for three more months after he reportedly requested a new investigator be assigned to his case due to allegations of abuse.
{mosads}”I want to tell the world that I am a victim of political kidnap and ransom,” he said, according to CBS, adding: “This is retaliation for sanctions.”
“There is absolutely no legitimacy. I have been threatened. There are abuses and harassment that I am constantly subject to. There is a case for isolation,” he continued, before listing off alleged abuses committed by prison staff.
“I have not had a shower in two weeks, I can’t use a barber I have to cut my own hair. I can’t have medical treatment, I can’t have dental treatment,” Whelan said, according to CBS. “This is typical POW Chapter 1 isolation technique. They are trying to run me down so that I will talk to them.”
“This is Salem witch trial mentality and I am asking the world press to go to London, to go to Washington, to go to Dublin,” he reportedly concluded.
Whelan was arrested late last year and charged with espionage, a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years in Russia. U.S. officials have remained adamant that Whelan is not a spy.
A Russian lawyer reportedly appointed to Whelan’s case by the court told reporters Friday that prosecutors did not have a strong case against his client.
“I’ve worked as an investigator for 20 years and if I do have a smoking gun, I will then put my strongest card on the table, to crush the opponent. In this case I don’t see any smoking gun,” he said Friday, adding that the opposition doesn’t “have strong evidence to back up the charges.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier this year that the State Department would work to get in contact with Whelan and work to secure his release.
“We’ve made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is he’s been accused of, and if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return,” Pompeo said.