Amid Russia prisoner-swap rumours, ex-US marine Paul Whelan’s whereabouts unknown
- Whelan was jailed for 16 years in 2020 on espionage charges; 7 other prisoners reportedly have been moved from Russian jails
The lawyer of former US marine Paul Whelan is checking his whereabouts in Russia’s penal system amid rumours that Moscow is preparing for a large-scale prisoner swap, Russian media reported on Wednesday.
At least seven other prisoners held in Russia were reported to have been moved from their jails or prison colonies in the past few days, fuelling speculation of an imminent prisoner exchange. Numerous high-profile prisoners, including foreigners, have gone missing from Russian prisons where they are serving long terms, in recent days.
“I receive requests from journalists from various international agencies asking me to clarify whether I know Paul’s whereabouts, as there are rumours of a possible exchange,” his lawyer Olga Karlova told the Interfax news agency.
“I have sent a request to the [prison] colony administration, but I’m not getting an answer,” she said.
Whelan, 54, was detained on spying charges while visiting Moscow in December 2018, claims he has denied.