Paul Whelan was taken to the medical unit of the Mordovian colony after a fight – Kommersant

On the territory of the industrial zone of the Mordovian IK-17, a fight broke out between the American Paul Whelan, convicted of espionage, and another prisoner, which was immediately stopped by the staff of the institution, reports the regional department of the Federal Penitentiary Service. Both prisoners were taken to the medical unit.

“When Whelan was examined by the institution’s paramedic, an abrasion was detected in the infraorbital region,” a service representative told Interfax. According to him, the fight occurred due to a domestic dispute. At the same time, the agency’s source said that Whelan was hit by “a convict from Turkey based on political differences.”

The American’s lawyer, Olga Karlova, told Interfax that her client told her about what happened. According to the lawyer, Whelan turned to the regional ombudsman. Diplomats from the US Embassy in Moscow also contacted him by telephone. In a conversation with RIA Novosti, a representative of the diplomatic mission said that this situation causes them concern.

An investigation is currently underway in the colony. CCTV cameras are being examined. The materials will be sent to the police.

Paul Whelan was detained by Russian intelligence services in December 2018. In 2020, he was found guilty of espionage (Article 276 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He does not admit guilt. In December 2022, US authorities announced their intention to seek the extradition of their citizen. In October reportedthat there have been no agreements yet.

In 2022, the US presidential administration proposed to Russia to exchange basketball player Brittney Greiner and Paul Whelan for Viktor Bout. The Russian side refused to transfer Paul Whelan. On October 24, Paul Whelan, in an interview with CNN, said that he was a “valuable person” for the Russian authorities and that they wanted “something valuable in return” for his exchange.

Polina Motyzlevskaya