Russia and the United States to discuss an exchange of American Whelan, sentenced in Russia to 16 years prison – media
Exchange who was convicted in Russia of American Paul Whelan on prisoners in the US, the Russians discussed, the most probable scheme is the mutual pardon of presidents. This June 17 reported “Interfax” , citing an informed source.
The final decision is still pending, said the Agency interlocutor. He said that at the moment discussed the possibility of sharing Whelan on two Russians Viktor bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko.
At the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, commenting on this information, recalled that Ambassador John Sullivan June 15, promised to push for not sharing, and justice for Whelan.
15 June the Moscow city court has recognized Whelan guilty of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in strict regime colony. The state prosecution asked for Whelan’s 18 years of the colony. American called the verdict political and said that it will appeal.
Whelan was detained in Moscow in hotel “Metropol” in December 2018. All the while he was in jail “Lefortovo”.
According to investigators, the former us marine has received from the current FSB a flash drive with sensitive data on Russian security services. Whelan said that the stick had been planted on him.
The Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2019 proposed exchange of prisoners, mentioning including Whelan.
Bout was arrested on March 6, 2008 in Bangkok, after two years of litigation granted in the US in November 2011 sentenced to 25 years new York Grand jury for conspiracy to commit sale of a large consignment of weapons left Colombian group FARC. The term Booth is serving in Marion Illinois.
Yaroshenko was sentenced by a U.S. court to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit delivery of a large consignment of cocaine in the United States. He is in prison “Fort Dix” in new Jersey.
